Trinity 31 Old Wimbledonians 24
Match report by Gerry Murphy

Having struggled last week against a team near the foot of the league table, Trinity faced another side whom they defeated comfortably in September.

Before a sizeable crowd of spectators, the opening exchanges were pretty even, and the visitors looked lively but twice missed touch from penalties when they might have gained good positions. Trinity fashioned a smooth move when fly-half Adam Sheehy found Marc McEvilly who took things forward. The ball went through several hands and promised a score but a wild pass at the end spoiled the chance. Trinity were quick to come again and more slick handling moved the ball left and then back right to create space for Tom Wilcox to cross for the opening try. Ben Telfer coolly slotted the conversion for 7-0 after 9 minutes. A much-improved line out this week saw Ben Vaillant take plenty of good ball from Ali Hall’s throwing. The scrum too was much better with Tom Black returning after a lay-off, ably assisted by young debutant Luke Thorne. Prop Lewis Chin-You made some strong carries and Trinity’s attack machine was beginning to hum.

Max Anderson, making his league debut start at 9, was enabling Sheehy to set the backs moving and Telfer’s smooth entry into the line showed evidence of positive use of training moves done during the week. OWs were not helped by a yellow card. Another fine move saw a surge down the right with Vaillant passing swiftly to winger Max Mouna who showed strength to stay infield when tackled. A quick ruck enabled slick passing left and McEvilly found Ty Williams who scored after 24 minutes. Trinity were now entertaining their supporters. A turnover by Farooq Agbalaya enabled another move left and Josh Joubert on the wing made one of his trademark incisive breaks. A clever grubber kick by Sheehy nearly put Mouna in and then Wimbledonians did well to hold up a powerful home driving maul and deny another score. Wilcox and Williams put in some strong tackles and on 38 minutes a succession of delightful passes, involving Anderson, Sheehy and Archie McMillan found Telfer running a lethal line for the try. He converted and Trinity were good value for their 19-0 lead at the interval.

Things were not getting any better for the visitors when, 3 minutes into the second half, they failed to take a free kick from their 22 to the referee’s satisfaction. From the scrum Trinity managed the chance well and the marauding Telfer came flying in for his second try which he converted. Wimbledonians looked finished at 26-0 but refused to lie down. Trinity brought on some replacements with Seb Robertson coming on at flanker and an eager Jason Hoffmann coming in for Hall. Sheehy was then given a well-earned rest and Mids had the luxury of replacing him with George Kimmins. Despite the deficit they were facing, the visitors had continued to produce some good running rugby and were rewarded after 47 minutes when they ran well and retained possession for their first try which they converted. Joubert put in a huge tackle and then took over from Anderson at scrum half. Trinity continued to show endeavour. Telfer’s peerless catching of the high ball dealt with kicks ahead in a way which allowed quick counters, McEvilly made some more of his big carries and Chin-You was unlucky not to complete his run to the line when he was skilfully tap-tackled. Wimbledonians continued their fightback with a second try after 55 minutes. As the clocked ticked towards time Mids were pressing and, after they had rather messed up a good position, they were given a second bite, moved the ball left and Mouna, with a well-flighted pass, put in Williams for his second and Trinity’s 5th try.

On the restart Farooq suffered a yellow card for a high tackle and OWs did themselves great credit by running in two quick tries in the closing minutes and securing two bonus points.

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