TRINITY 18-15 EASTBOURNE

Another tight match for Trinity but they managed to maintain their 100% record with their 7^th consecutive win.

An early chance to go to the corner with a penalty was missed when the kick narrowly missed touch and Eastbourne came into the game with some strong carries. Khalil Alleyne put in a good tackle and Olly Hubbard’s turnover put the home side on the attack. Eastbourne conceded two penalties in quick succession and Trinity had a good platform in the 22.  The line out was well won, and a driving maul gave Quinn Singh the opportunity to break off and move right where Ben Edmonson ran a good line to cross for a well-worked try.  Eastbourne came back with a sweeping move up field and Max Farrell put in a strong tackle which forced a knock-on.  Trinity were not comfortable in their own scrum now and Eastbourne drove them off their own ball to tie the scores at 5-5 after 12 minutes. The home scrum which had started well was now second best and a real worry. They managed, however, with the experience of Ali Hall and Nathan Bacon a real asset.  After winger Tom Fairclough put in a strong run, one of several by this player over the course of the afternoon, Trinity won a penalty and Ben Telfer kicked a fine goal for 8-5 after 17 minutes.

Trinity were now motoring and there were big carries by Fuad Agbalaya, Singh and Hubbard. A number of promising attacks yielded nothing, however, as Trinity were taking on the powerful Eastbourne forwards rather than using the pace they had in plenty out wide.  A throw to the line out was not straight and the visitors capitalised by creating a swift attack up field from which they forced a line out in the corner.  They managed this well and scored and the touchline conversion put them 12-8 up after 33 minutes. Trinity continued their earlier pressure for the remainder of the half but did not vary their tactics.   Nathan Bacon put in some of his trademark surges, but the Eastbourne defence was wise to Mids’ one-dimensional play and held out to half time. They did concede a number of penalties, however, and were punished with a yellow card just before the interval.

No doubt coach Matt Higgins had some strong words at the break as Trinity were much more determined and focused after half time. The scrum had been depleted further by injuries to Singh (for a short time) and to Tom Black who had to retire.  Adam Stammers came on and, when Singh returned, the pack operated much more solidly. Telfer at fly half put in some powerful runs and one break in particular promised a dividend but the ball was dropped. Edmonson carried well and made ground and Eastbourne were penalised on the 10-metre line.  Telfer’s long kick drifted wide but it was noticeable that Mids were winning most of the territory with a combination of fiery tackling and fiercer contesting at the breakdown.  Some ill discipline cost them ground and a threatening position from Eastbourne in the corner.  They turned this over, however, by holding up and choking the maul and from this Farrell broke free up field and was unlucky in the chase when the ball went forward.  Mids somehow managed to drive them off the resulting scrum and win a much-applauded penalty. They drove for the line and were held up short, but the visitors had not retreated 10 and Ben Vaillant was quick to drive over for the try which had been coming for some time. Telfer put in a perfect kick, and it was 15-12 to the hosts.

Trinity now ad the momentum and the territory to close out the game but Eastbourne were not going to lie down.  A fine tackle by Fairclough drove them back and Eastbourne were penalised giving Telfer the chance to find touch up field.  Another crooked throw gave the initiative back to the visitors and when they won a penalty, they were able to kick this and tie the scores again with half an hour remaining. Mids piled the pressure on the visitors’ line but a lack of patience and some hasty decisions to go alone wasted the opportunities. Vaillant thought he had scored but a knock-on was called. When Trinity won a penalty Telfer was called to kick and he produced a peach to make it 18-15.  There was a lot of injury time to make up and Eastbourne were still a threat. A big turnover by Tom Wilcox and Edmonson together was inspirational and, despite a few flutters with knock-ons and missed line outs, Trinity stayed focused. Barney Kember had come on to add a little sparkle to play and made a nice break.  As Eastbourne created a threatening move left Farrell put in a try-saving tackle out wide and the same player made several runs to take play up field. A high kick ahead was confidently dealt with by replacement winger James Duffy.

A maul near the home line was held up for the second time and Trinity cleared comfortably from the scrum. They secured more solid field positions as the clock ticked and there was jubilation from a sizeable number of supporters as skipper Harry Wilson led his victors from the field.

Match report by Gerry Murphy.

Match photos via Pete Filewood’s FLICKR page