Old Caterhamians 59 Trinity 59
Match report from Gerry Murphy

Trinity coach Matt Higgins had set out a plan to run the ball as much as possible and boy did his team do just this!

Right from the off they set their sights on the home line, and the effervescent Josh Joubert broke from deep to attack and involve Marc McEvilly and Quinn Singh in strong carries before looping around to score in the very first minute. George Kimmins converted and the scene was set for an entertaining afternoon before a large crowd in the sunshine. Cats were quick to reply and won a penalty from the kick-off from which they found the corner and managed possession well to level things at 7-7. The hosts too had plenty of running backs and attacked again. A big tackle by Joubert gave Trinity the chance to run back, this time with a strong burst through the middle by Max Anderson. More good work by McEvilly and Joubert threatened another score, but Caterham held out. Trinity were conceding a high number of penalties and Cats drove up the field to find a good platform in the 22. They lost control of a line out, however, and Joubert was off again on a charge up the right wing. He and Archie McMillan exchanged passes to outpace the defence and McMillan showed speed and strength to claim Trinity’s second try in the corner. A magnificent conversion from Kimmins made it 14-7.

Cats reduced the arrears with a penalty, but Trinity then scored two quick tries in 5 minutes. McEvilly contested the kick-off well and Trinity marauded well to bring a score for Farooq Agbalaya and then a scintillating move out of defence saw a fine carry by Dan Asanbe which led to slick handling involving McEvilly, Anderson, Singh and Anderson again for a great score. Only 21 minutes had elapsed and Trinity, playing against a strong breeze, were well pleased with their progress. Caterham had other ideas. They scored two good tries of their own in the next 10 minutes, converted with outstanding kicks from their fly-half. They were aided by the visitors’ prodigality in conceding several more penalties and a last-ditch tackle to prevent Anderson scoring after he had sped up the middle. The lead had been reduced to a mere 2 points, but Trinity restored the gap when Joubert fielded a high clearing kick and then timed his pass perfectly to an eager Singh who was not going to be caught. Kimmins converted to make it 24-33. It looked like more joy for Trinity when Agbalaya caught the kick-off and then backed himself to run the length of the field through all the traffic and then plunge under the posts only to have his try ruled out because of a fantastic effort by the last defender to hold the ball up. Trinity kept their 9-point lead until the interval.

The visitors did not manage the restart well and Caterham registered another 7 pointer. Back came Trinity with Kimmins, who got his line running smoothly all afternoon, linking with Malachai Goldson and he unloaded to Callum True on the wing who did the rest. Caterham applied pressure but Trinity defended well, with Lewis Chin You tackling well and putting in some strong carries. Temi Asanbe had come on for his First team debut and acquitted himself well in the pack, but he received a yellow card. A huge turnover by Olly Hubbard won a relieving penalty for Trinity but Kimmins did not find touch and Cats were back on the attack. Trinity then won another penalty deep in their own 22. This time they backed themselves to run from near their own line and the ball went through several hands including Goldson and Singh before Farooq crossed for his second try. Mids were now 16 points clear. In most games this would be enough, but this was no ordinary game! Back came Caterham with their best try of the match through impressive handling at speed followed by another 7 pointer straight after to make it 45-47. Caterham could now see a way to an unlikely victory as the wind dropped. A fine tackle by Adam Sheehy prevented another dangerous assault and when McEvilly showed speed and determination to charge into the 22, Trinity managed the situation really well to spread the ball right and Alex Willis scored after more good work by Goldson.

Once again Trinity did not deal well with the restart and Cats scored again. In the next Mids attack Kimmins changed direction in midfield and found a gap which enabled him to show pace, stay strong and add another 5 points to Trinity’s total. At 52-59 could Trinity see out the last 5 minutes? Cats piled on the pressure and won a penalty deep in the Mids’ 22. An injury to Alex Willis and the fact that all substitutions had been exhausted did not help Trinity as Cats opted for a scrum, an area in which they had been strong all afternoon, though Ali Hall, Jasper Brown and Chin You had steadied things before injuries affected things. Trinity, to their credit, managed to hold this and turned over possession and seemed to have a good exit when the hosts knocked on. However, in a bizarre turn of events the ball shot out of the scrum and an alert home player had the simple task of picking up and walking over the line to touch down. His fly-half was not going to miss from straight in front and kicked his 7th of 7 conversions to tie the scores.

Trinity did their best to come again but the whistle ended an enthralling afternoon’s rugby when the game was the winner and neither side deserved the disappointment of losing.

MATCH PHOTOS
A reminder that Neil Pepper’s Match Photos from this match and others throughout the season can be accessed via the Trinity Rugby Facebook page.