East Grinstead 12-48 Trinity
At half-time this match was evenly balanced, and the large crowd had been given no indication of the dominance that Trinity would enjoy in the second period.

Grinstead had the edge in the scrum, but Mids’ tackling was solid with Tom Wilcox putting in some good hits. Ali Hall, Farooq Agbalaya and Olly Hubbard all carried well, and Marc McEvilly made good ground before unloading to Quinn Singh who had a chance of putting in Ben Edmonson, but the pass went astray. Another chance came when Harry Wilson took a quick tap penalty on the 22 but then the ball went loose, and the home winger picked up and it looked like a length of the field try. Ben Telfer and Archie McMillan had the speed to cover back and save the day. Some high tackles and needless backchat were negating some of Trinity’s fine approach work and led to the hosts’ opening score when they had a line out in the corner and then controlled possession before crossing in the corner. A fine conversion from the touchline put them 7-0 ahead after 16 minutes.

Mids came again and created another opportunity but were done for crossing. Edmonson showed strength in fielding a difficult ball and then making good ground. He then found space for an overlap but was not given the ball and the chance went begging. Grinstead then punched a huge hole in the middle of the visitors’ defence and McMillan’s tackling prowess was needed again as he put in another strong hit. Trinity brought off another try-saving tackle out wide as the home side put on the pressure. The Mids’ scramble defence was very efficient and on 34 minutes McMillan burst through the middle to find space and put Singh away on another of his marauding sallies. As he has done before, he backed himself to sidestep defenders and go all the way to the posts and give George Kimmins the simplest of conversion attempts to tie the scores. Grinstead put in some fierce attacks towards the end of the half, but the visitors’ defence held solid with Hubbard producing one of his trademark special turnovers.

Trinity were on the attack from the restart. A high clearing kick from Grinstead was confidently fielded by Telfer who ran well at the defence and then some fine interplay involving Kimmins and debutant Kean Orchard put Wilcox in for a try, converted by Kimmins. Back came the hosts and, when a high tackle on a Trinity player was not punished, the subsequent backchat was, and Grinstead had a penalty attempt. This failed and from the drop-out Kimmins regained possession and stroked an elegant kick down the line for a 50-22. The same player then stretched Mid’s lead with a penalty after a high tackle. The Trinity engine was now purring, and a flowing move led to a kick ahead from Ben Vaillant, when continued running seemed the better option, but he followed up well to tap-tackle the defender and Trinity were able to move the ball left and then right to put Singh over for his second try.

In 15 minutes, the game had been transformed and Grinstead seemed to lose heart. Jack Greenwood came on to replace Wilson and put in a strong tackle to announce his arrival. He fed well from a scrum that was now doing better and after 62 minutes Orchard, who impressed more as the game went on fielded the ball in the line out and forced his way over for another 7 pointer and a rare try bonus point for his side. Trinity supporters had been waiting patiently for Edmonson to get an opportunity to show his paces on the wing. Greenwood fed quick ball along the line and, when the ball reached the left winger, he had his chance and Boy did he take it! Kimmins’ conversion attempt came back off the post but Trinity were now out of sight. Grinstead were struggling and had not been helped by a yellow card and losing some players to injury. A minute later Wilcox made a break and Orchard was up in support for his second try.

The hosts managed a consolation try with 4 minutes left but Trinity had the last word when, from a scrum on the 22, Greenwood broke and chipped through for Vaillant to follow up ad claim the touchdown. This Trinity team seems to get the best from all the players and cohesion is very noticeable. David Hoffman fitted in so easily when he came on in the front row. The leadership and strength shown by Farooq Agbalaya all over the pitch all afternoon is inspiring and the improvement in the lineout brought by Ted Wilkie as well as his carrying into tackles to set up quality platforms are further evidence of the high-quality work done at training this season. The defeat of Weybridge Vandals by Rutlishians leaves the unbeaten Trinity 4 points clear at the top of the table after their first really emphatic win of the season.

MATCH REPORT: Gerry Murphy
MATCH PHOTOS: Pete Filewood’s Flickr Page
MAN OF THE MATCH: