Trinity 20-19 Old Haileyburians
With eight league debutants* and fielding a starting team with an average age of twenty-two, this match was a real roller-coaster.

Haileybury dominated the first half and looked strong and dangerous. Trinity defended well and eventually manufactured a move which broke down with a poor pass in the second phase. The visitors continued to create and won good territory, so Mids were grateful for a long relieving kick. They also managed to spoil two Haileybury line outs with Farooq Agbalaya jumping well.

However, some things went wrong, and a quick tap penalty did not produce anything and this was followed by a lost line out. Haileybury exploited these mistakes and won a penalty to the corner which they managed well with a good take, maul and drive to score the opening try after 11 minutes. They continued to press and a dangerous kick ahead was caught on the run by Telfer in a blaze of defiance. Then it was hooker Quinn Singh who tidied up in the 22 to keep the visitors out. Mids did well to hold out at a 5-metre scrum and then Singh went on won of his rampaging runs and was well supported by Khalil Alleyne, but a dropped pass spoiled a promising move. Haileybury continued to threaten and Mids did well to turn over possession with Tom Wilcox getting well stuck in. Tom Fairclough covered well and produced a good tackle into touch. Trinity then produced a scintillating move with Singh again central but when the ball was recycled on the 22 and with the opposition in disarray, an ambitious pass was intercepted and the speedy Haileybury runners sped upfield. Mids produced some delaying tackles but the momentum was sustained by the visitors and they registered their second try under the posts after half an hour. Marc McEvilly magnificently fielded the kick-off and Trinity pressed. Fuad Agbalaya at No.8 was impressive all over the field. They forced a penalty and George Kimmins nailed the kick. 3-12 was not a bad interval score for the homesters given what they had faced in the first half.

Haileybury started well again and in the second half created at least five glorious chances which only desperate last ditch tackling by a host of Trinity players kept them out. It was difficult to see who did what and the scribe, seeking enlightenment after the match as to what the answers were, was bombarded by claims from numerous players. Telfer, Olly Hubbard, Fairclough and Farookh were all involved but there were others. The point, however, is that the team refused to lie down under immense pressure and a base was laid for the exploits to come. Tim Jupp came on and acquitted himself well in a scrum which was gradually wearing down their opponents and it was clear that Haileybury were tiring.

Paul Roberts came on at fly half with Kimmins moving to the centre and this gave Mids a real class partnership in the back line. The Haileybury flanker, Tom Wright, who been impressive all afternoon was straight through for a try but was called back for a forward pass. Trinity were gaining in confidence and Barney Kember produced some magic to break and chip ahead and then close down the defender. Trinity support was excellent with Telfer prominent, and his strong running set up a marauding attack. Singh carried the ball on, and some fine interplay led to McEvilly crashing over for the try. Kimmins converted and Trinity were back in the game at 8-12 after 56 minutes.

They continued to press and a big tackle from Kimmins led to a break by Roberts. There were plenty of players to take it on and Singh again made ground before the ball came to McEvilly who crossed for his second try. This was converted by Telfer and Mids were in the lead at 15-12 after 66 minutes. Haileybury now came back strongly and profited from the fact that two of their front row had been injured, which led to uncontested scrums. It was time for more courageous defending from the hosts. Having performed heroics in the corner they then proceeded to lose their own line out and Haileybury went straight through to score what looked like the winning try to lead 19-15 with the final whistle pending.

In a defiant final chapter, it was Trinity who prevailed, however, when they worked the ball upfield and jealously and patiently retained possession. Tom Black took the ball on at pace and then Singh backed himself to take on the entire defence and beat several tackles to force his way through for the winning score. Kimmins’ conversion attempt hit the post but the one-point margin was enough to give Trinity a victory which was deliriously celebrated by a large contingent of Trinity recent leavers who had earlier performed with style in a friendly against Dartfordians and Old Caterhamians.

The eight players making their league debit for Trinity RFC were Khalil Alleyne, Tom Fairclough, Barney Kember, George Kimmins, Chris Reid, Paul Roberts, Quinn Singh, Tom Wilcox.

Tribe Advisory Man of the Match: Fuad Agbalaya.
Match report by Gerry Murphy.
More match photos via Pete Filewood’s FLICKR page