HAYWARDS HEATH 33-34 TRINITY
Trinity seem to like leaving things late this season.  Following last week’s last play win over Haileyburians they travelled to Sussex to engage another promoted team. It did not seem that this would be a tight encounter on the evidence of the opening period.

Despite overthrowing and losing an early lineout Quinn Singh followed up well and blocked down the home clearing kick.  He was well supported and good work by Ali Hall and Khalil Alleyne produced space for full back Max Farrell, with his first touch for his Old Boys’ team, to speed over for the opening try after 4 minutes. Ben Telfer converted with a fine kick from far out.  From the kick off Trinity won possession and winger Ollie Wilcox put in a clever kick up the line which forced the defender to deflect the ball into touch. A solid lineout gave Telfer the opportunity to launch a towering kick into the 22.  This bounced awkwardly for the defence but kindly for Farookh Agbalaya who took the ball and dived over with spectacular glee. Heath now came more into the game and forced Trinity to defend.  Archie McMillan put in two crunching tackles and Singh won a turnover. However, a penalty allowed Heath to kick to the corner and display their ability to catch, drive and control possession for a try after 16 minutes. Telfer’s high kick off was knocked on by a defender and Trinity won a line out. A good take by Olly Hubbard led to a swift move forward and Tom Wilcox’s scoring pass to his brother Ollie seemed to be knocked on deliberately by the home winger to prevent the try.  He escaped with just a penalty and Telfer found the corner. A clever quick throw to Hall at the front produced Trinity’s third try and a 19-7 lead after 20 minutes.

They continued to dominate but were hampered by poor lineout play.  Singh blocked down another clearing kick and seemed through to score but Trinity were called back for an earlier infringement. Another great chance came their way when Farookh ran clear but was well tackled. Heath now stepped up their game and produced some good running rugby. Another fine tackle by McMillan checked this. Soon, however, another lost lineout allowed the hosts’ forwards to repeat their earlier formula and score their second try. The conversion was missed.  Telfer’s kick off was again fumbled by Heath and Trinity won a penalty. Telfer found the corner but an effort to repeat the throw to Hall at the front was called back as the ball had not gone 5. The clearing free kick gave Trinity a lineout and, though they failed again in this department the ball went loose in midfield and Harry Wilson, who produced slick passes for his runners all afternoon whipped the ball left for Farrell to streak through a gap and feed Max Mouna on the left wing.  He backed himself to shrug off a number of tackles and showed real strength to force his way over for Trinity’s bonus try, attributed by one touchline Trinity supporter to “the Max Factor.” Telfer’s excellent conversion put the visitors ahead by 26-12 at the interval.

This healthy margin was swiftly reduced at the very beginning of the second half as Heath piled into attack.  They were stopped at the expense of a penalty to the corner and the standard move seemed on again. Trinity did well to force a knock on and then a good scrum allowed Wilson to clear to touch. Another Trinity infringement allowed Heath to kick to the corner again but this time the drive was held and they spread the ball right.  Their backs found gaps and scored a fine try which was converted, and it was now 26-19 with half an hour left. The hosts now had the momentum, but Trinity resisted well.  Ben Vaillant, who had come on at half time made an excellent catch when the ball was pumped skywards and Telford put a high searching kick into space.  The chasers lost concentration, however, and were penalised for being in front. Heath again kicked to the corner and Trinity did well to hold them out. Another penalty conceded was too much for the referee and Farookh was carded on the hour. This time the Heath corner move produced a try for the third time in the afternoon and the conversion tied the scores at 26-26.

When Telfer’s kick off drifted out on the full Heath produced a copybook move from the scrum to send their backs away and put them ahead with a 7 pointer and a 33-26 lead with 15 minutes left.  Trinity’s heads did not go down, despite the transformation in fortunes. The kick off was well contested and more industry from Singh gave Farrell the chance to streak away for an immediate response. His try was not converted but there were only two points in it. Trinity now worked very hard to deny Heath space as they played out the rest of Farookh’s card time.  When he returned, they did even better and created two more good attacks. There was a sizeable period of time added on for injury and Mids got their chance when Heath were penalised in their own half.  The kick was a long one – 45 yards into the breeze.  However, Telfer stepped up and did the necessary and Trinity led 34-33 with about two minutes remaining.

Back came Heath but they spoiled their last chance when they uncharacteristically fumbled a lineout and Trinity were not going to do anything except use their heads to keep possession and see out the time.

Match Report; Jerry Murphy
Tribe Advisory Man of the Match: Max Farrell