COBHAM 61-34 TRINITY
Match report by Gerry Murphy

Trinity knew they would have a tough assignment against the league leaders, and this was clear after only 45 seconds when a bad bounce for Trinity was a good one for the hosts and they were 5-0 up.

However, the visitors set up a lively response with some impressive interplay from defence. Khrys Speed and Malachai Goldson made scything runs and then Josh Joubert showed pace as Trinity had plenty to offer. They won a penalty and declined points but laid siege to the line before Cobham infringed again and this time Ben Telfer struck a god kick to narrow the gap after 10 minutes. Trinity were now competing well with fine tackles from Archie McMillan and Jasper Brown. Another slick handling move with Adam Sheehy’s passing finding men in space promised something but the ball went forward. A penalty enabled Cobham to clear and then a fine 50-22 gave them a position from which they controlled possession well and scored a converted try to lead 12-3 after 17 minutes. From the kick-off Mids were penalised and backchat cost another 10 yards. Cobham threatened again but good defence, topped off by a fine turnover from Luke Thorne averted the danger. Cobham came again and Seb Robertson put in a strong hit but then, from another penalty Cobham threatened but missed the corner.

Respite was temporary for Trinity as, despite what looked like an excellent turnover by David Williams, he was penalised and Cobham kicked to the corner, then mauled well and scored their third try. The conversion made it 19-3 with half an hour gone. Cobham had now found their rhythm, but Trinity did not help themselves by overthrowing at a line out and the ball went straight to an opponent who ran in unchallenged. Trinity were now on the back foot and despite another fine hit by Mc Millan and what seemed a try-saving tackle by Farooq Agbalaya, Cobham skilfully kept the ball alive for another 7 pointer and a lead of 31-3 after 36 minutes. Eric Trinder came on for Brown and Trinity refused to lie down. Some fine carries by Speed, Jack Bosher and Olisa Ufodiama kept them in the faces of the opposition. A free kick was taken quickly by Joubert who made ground before unloading to Farooq and he took it on to enable David Hoffmann to surge for the line. He was stopped but Trinder was there in support to force his way over for a deserved try which Telfer converted off the upright. Trinity then constructed another fine running move when Joubert went on one of his runs and put Speed through the middle. He showed real pace before unloading to Bosher who seemed to score in the corner but was adjudged to have put a foot in touch. 31-10 was a good interval lead for the home side but Trinity felt that it was not insurmountable as they had faced a strong wind in the first half.

An injury to Joubert did not help the visitor’s cause. Speed went to scrum half and Mids strove manfully to create. A beautifully crafted kick-pass out of defence by Sheehy was taken by Olisa who sped down the wing. Cobham won back possession, however, and only Telfer’s vigilance and determination saw off the danger. Dom Plumb came on at prop and the Trinity scrum continued to do well against a strong eight. Trinder made some fine carries, but the visitors were suffering more injuries. McMillan had to retire and Thorne suffered a broken wrist. Alex Willis came on and played his part, but Cobham did not let up and from a scrum penalty they created a flowing move which resulted in their best try of the afternoon to extend their lead after 55 minutes. A strong tackle by Sheehy averted more trouble and Trinity showed they had more to offer when Farooq charged up the field and set up a lovely move which involved Goldson, Telfer and Robertson before Farooq himself forced his way over for a try. This was converted by Telfer. 38-17. Any ideas Mids had of a resurgence were ruthlessly put to bed as Cobham took advantage of an opposition severely depleted by injuries (which now included Farooq) to score 4 tries in 10 minutes and lead 64- 31. Credit to Trinity for not giving up and they scored two fine tries in the closing minutes through the tireless Ali Hall and finally from a fine individual effort from Goldson.

To win a bonus point in this match was no mean achievement.