Trinity 1st XV Start Centenary Season With A Win Over Old Wimbledonians At Lime Meadow Avenue

What an entertaining opening to the League campaign with Trinity 1st XV playing Old Wimbledonians at Lime Meadow Avenue in Counties Premier 1 (Surrey/Sussex)

Trinity started in lively fashion and had the better of the opening exchanges but failed to capitalise on good positions, mainly because of a poor line out and allowing the visitors to relieve danger cheaply. Old Wimbledonians showed that they had talented backs when they showed some nice interplay in their first attack and forced a penalty which they kicked after 7 minutes. Back came Trinity with two good carries, first by Quinn Singh who linked with Adam Sheehy who made a searing break, but his pass did not bear fruit, then Marc McEvilly burst through the middle after a strong carry by Kean Orchard. Again, Mids were frustrated. They kept the pressure on, however, and won a scrum penalty which delighted Ali Hall on his 150th appearance for the side which Sheehy kicked to the corner. Again, the ball was overthrown but a clearing kick from Wimbledonians was blocked down by debutant Manu Qiolevu .

A line out followed which on this occasion was well taken by Orchard and Trinity kept possession to create several sallies for the line before the ball went left and Harry Wilson picked up from a ruck to cross and run round behind the posts for the opening try. Ben Telfer converted and it was 7-3 to the hosts with 15 minutes played. 5 minutes later Trinity increased their lead when a long pass from Wilson found Olly Wilcox on the left wing, and he had an easy run in. Telfer struck a magnificent conversion from the touchline – 14-3.

A fine turnover by Singh gave McEvilly the chance to make another of his surging bursts but things took an unfortunate turn after 25 minutes when Sheehy was shown a red card after what seemed a clash of heads was deemed to be due to foul play. Trinity would now have a long stretch to face with only 14 men. Khrys Speed who was showing some sharp touches was sacrificed, Josh Joubert came on at full back and Telfer moved to fly half. From the penalty Wimbledon found a good touch, then won another penalty and eventually mauled to the line for a converted try which reduced the gap to 14-10. Trinity regrouped, forced their way downfield again and their 7-man scrum still had too much power for the visitors. Joubert was illegally held just short, and Singh took a quick penalty to force his way over and, with another fine kick from Telfer, the converted try made it 21-10.

From the kick-off Trinity won another scrum penalty, and Wilson saw space behind. An intelligent kick set up a chase which led to a well-worked try from Malachi Goldson. Telfer was then just wide with a penalty attempt after strong carries by Singh and Orchard. Despite being a man down, Trinity seemed well in charge at the interval, leading 26-10 with a bonus point in the bag.

Old Wimbledonians attacked from the off at the start of the second half and Farooq Agbalaya put in a good shift to tackle and then carry out of defence, A lovely break and clever kick ahead by Joubert took Mids back upfield and the ball was taken on by Olly Wilcox and Orchard who fed Alfie Lamb for another try. Telfer’s extras made the tally 33-10 and he added a penalty shortly afterwards. Trinity were cruising at 36-10 with just over half an hour remaining. Fair play to Old Wimbledonians. They did not give up and as Trinity tired – no doubt being a man short was bound to tell at some stage – and made some poor decisions, the visitors took charge to score 3 converted tries in less than 10 minutes, and Trinity were hanging on at 36-31.

Trinity now had, probably their best period, in adversity, in a bizarre match in which they had looked in complete control. They had to dig in and fight, but the spirit was there. Time and again they kept Wimbledonians out as they searched for the winning try. Even when David Hoffmann was carded for playing the nine the resistance continued. Olly Wilcox fought like a demon and he and Singh somehow forced their way upfield with the latter launching himself at pace and nearly making the tryline. The last Wimbledon defender had to concede a 5-metre scrum and it seemed that Trinity could finish it. Another twist meant that they conceded a free kick at the scrum for a technicality and Wimbledon cleared. Wimbledon then kicked downfield and a good catch and huge return kick from Telfer was not well dealt with by the visitor and it seemed they had conceded another 5-metre scrum.

This was denied and Olly Wilcox was carded. Trinity, now down to 12 men, did not let up and managed to stay in a strong field position, winning a penalty on the halfway line. Telfer went for goal and had the range, but his fine effort struck a post. Shortly afterwards he had another chance, again from nearly halfway and this time struck it true, but it was not given as only one touch judge was in place and the other did not raise his flag. Trinity kept the pressure on and, when Singh was injured, they were in possession. When he recovered, they had the scrum and from this Farooq made two strong breaks in succession and was not going to surrender possession. Eventually, with good support from Goldson and Wilson the space was made for McEvilly to drive and pass to Singh for Singh who dived over gleefully for the try which, converted by Telfer, sealed a game which had everybody on tenterhooks.

1st XV Squad: Telfer, Wilcox O, Goldson, Wilcox T, Qiolevu, Sheehy, Wilson (c), Agbalaya Fa (c), Speed, Hubbard, Orchard, McEvilly, Hall, Singh, Hoffmann D.  Replacements: Joubert J, Lamb, Agbalaya Fu.

 

Match footage is available on the club YouTube channel here

Match photos by Peter Filewood are available here