After a frustrating start to 2026 for the 2s due to opposition drop outs, Trinity travelled to local rivals Old Cats for the return Alliance league fixture, Trinity having won the home game in a close encounter.

Trinity welcomed debutants Anthony Whitehouse-Brown, Raul Matei and Jack Bosher, the Riddlesdown contingent making their Trinity senior debuts playing alongside Mr Daniels and Mr Edwards. Former 1st XV captain Will Turvey dusted off his boots to make a return in the centres and Dave Perry also playing his first game back since moving back in the area. Conditions were good with the sun shining and firm underfoot so both teams were looking to play some open enjoyable rugby.

Trinity kicked off and immediately gained possession and territory, Bosher getting his hands on the ball early and making good yards, Trinity worked their way into the Cats 22 with strong forward carries from Bacon, Donovan and Jupp in the forwards and Caplin beating his opposite number down the right wing. However, Trinity were unable to convert pressure into points and left empty handed and several occasions. Cats came straight back and scored two converted tries after some loose defence around the breakdown. Stanton & Crouch took a grasp of the game and fed Macaskill to make a line break through the centres, good breakdown work resulted in Tim Jupp crossing for Trinity’s first try, Crouch converted. The halftime whistle went and Trinity felt they had left points out in the first half and needed to focus on composure and more coordinated defence.

Cats kicked off and immediately took the game to Trinity, the away side’s defensive line was creaking and Cats scored a deserved try. The game then hit a 10-15 spell where Cats scored 4 tries taking the game away from Trinity, a combination of missed first time tackles and lack of intensity allowed Cats to make regular line breaks. Trinity were getting on the wrong side of the ref after some contentious decisions but needed to roll their sleeves up to fight back. The tables turned and Trinity were on the front foot, Dom Plumb rolling back the years to make a line break resulting in Raul Matei crossing for a debut try on the right flank. More pressure from the away team who were awarded a penalty on the Cats line, tap and pass to Bacon who barged his way over almost taking the posts down with him, Crouch conversion. Trinity had some momentum now, Turvey getting his hands on the ball and after more quick phases moved the ball for Bosher to score a strong try, Crouch conversion. Cats had the last laugh crossing at the death to finish 48-26 winners.

Huge credit should go to the whole team who fought back well in the 2nd half – the young lads played well with Whitehouse-Brown carrying ball well, Matei connecting well in wider channels and Bosher impressing every time the ball was in his hands.

MoM – Jack Bosher – great debut and deserved try.

Saturday 28th February 2026
Old Cats 2nd XV 48 – 26 Trinity RFC 2nd XV
Try Scorers – Nathan Bacon, Tim Jupp, Ryan Bosher, Raul Matei
Cons – Dan Crouch x3
Squad – Dom Plumb, Jason Hoffman, Nathan Bacon, Ben Donovan, Anthony Whitehouse-Brown, Tim Jupp, Raul Matei, George Daniels (c), Dave Stanton, Dan Crouch, Tom Caplin, Mark Macaskill, Jack Bosher, Will Turvey, Andy Edwards, Dave Perry, Henry Cotton