Another tough assignment against a side who have worked their way to the top of the league.

Trinity were under pressure from the start when they conceded a penalty and then had to sustain an assault on their line. The forwards dealt well with this and held up the ball. Ruts attacked again but Trinity intercepted and there was space for a counterattack. However, a wild pass went astray, and the home winger had simply to pick up and score in the corner. A brilliant conversion from the touchline made it 7-0 to the hosts after only 4 minutes.

Trinity contested the kick-off well and Olly Hubbard won a penalty which was neatly slotted from well out by George Kimmins. With the ship steadied Trinity were now competing well. Harry Wilson found a gap and kicked ahead to force Ruts to clear hastily to touch in their own 22. Tom Black took a good catch and Mids were patient in driving at the line until Chris Reid forced his way over. Kimmins’ accurate conversion attempt was unlucky to rebound from the crossbar, but the visitors had the lead at 8-7 after 13 minutes. Ruts were allowed back in front when Trinity did not manage the kick-off well, allowing the ball to bounce. Hubbard put in a good tackle, but Ruts had possession which they used well to score again and from the other touchline this time their kicker added the extras. Ruts had Trinity at sea now and a man in front at the kick-off allowed them an attacking scrum from which one of their big men seemed to run in unopposed for another 7 pointer and they had registered 3 tries with not a quarter of the match played. Trinity’s heads did not go down, however, and they dominated territory for the next 15 minutes with plenty of good handling choreographed by Kimmins. Josh Joubert featured in a number of moves and Trinity put pressure on the home line. In a move similar to their earlier success Black again took good ball in the line out and the forwards retained possession before Reid got his second try. During this period of Trinity dominance Ruts had infringed several times and conceded a yellow card. Mids now dealt well with Ruts pressure with fine tackles from David Hoffmann, Tom Wilcox and Joubert. Adam Stammers was injured and Quinn Singh, who had been out for recent games, replaced him. A long penalty goal for Ruts stretched their lead to 24 -15. Trinity produced some more good running moves with Joubert hungry and prominent and reached half-time well in contention.

Again they conceded at the kick-off, however, and were under the cosh from the restart. Some really good tackling drove Ruts back but injuries again struck. Fuad Agbalaya was hurt and replaced by Alex Scott. A Trinity scrum close to their own line was driven back by Ruts (early push?) and they claimed a bonus point try. Mids came again and Ruts conceded two penalties which allowed Kimmins to make ground up the touchline. Trinity mauled to the line but could not manage the next stage, were held up and Ruts cleared. Injuries continued to be a problem and Stammers, who had returned, had to leave the field again. Jack Greenwood came on at full back for the last 10 minutes and acquitted himself well with some solid tidying up of a very awkward kick ahead and a sure catch of a high kick sent to the heavens by Ruts. Trinity were still competing and Singh made some good carries as is his wont. The scoreline went heavily against Mids, however as Ruts took full advantage of some indiscipline, with the referee marching the visitors back on two occasions. Ruts scored two tries and a penalty in the closing minutes and a game Trinity outfit did not deserve to lose so heavily. Promising debuts were made by Ozzie Edwards and Louis Harrison-Rix from Trinity School.

Next week is a free day so it is hoped that some of the significant players missing will be able to recover in time for the home fixture against East Grinstead on 1st March.

Match Report – Gerry Murphy