In searing conditions at Trinity School this pre-season clash which is now becoming a fixture in the Trinity calendar provided an entertaining afternoon for a sizeable crowd of supporters.  For this report, the Old Boys will be called ‘Mids’, as they always were, and their young opponents ‘ School.’

Mids started strongly and dominated the exchanges with Marc McEvilly running hard to provide crash ball. They put several good moves together, extending into multiple phases but School defended well and effected two turnovers. A clever kick ahead by scrum half Harry Wilson had Mids claiming a 50-22 but the absence of a touch judge left the matter unresolved. Mids dealt well with two dangerous breaks by the School wingers. Veteran Mark Macaskill was putting himself about up front, Farooq Agbalaya looked a real force and skipper Harry Wilson brought off a fine tackle. Ali Hall made a promising break, but the best move of the period came after a strong run by full back James Jenkins.  Mids recycled well when he was tackled and centre Aidan Sisk threatened the line but the ball went forward and  School cleared. School pressed but Jenkins dealt well with this, running powerfully out of defence. The match was played in four quarters of 15 minutes and at the end of the first quarter there was no score.

School kicked off well and upped the pressure on Mids.  Mids won back possession in their own 22 but were forced to kick to touch. A copy-book lineout take and maul from School gave them the first score to which an excellent kick from far out added the extras. Mids came again with some determined play, but a couple of hasty options lost good field positions.  School pounced on a loose ball and a huge spiral kick won them a 50-22. School then were not patient enough to control the ball and Mids defended well.  It seemed the second score would come when Khalil Alleyne flew down the wing for School but an excellent tackle by Sisk denied him glory. The score remained 7-0 to School at half time.

School began the third quarter with a flowing move.  Mids stemmed this but, when they tried to run out of their 22, the ball shot out of a tackle, allowing School to drive forward and they seemed certain to score only for a last ditch tackle by McEvilly. The pressure forced Mids to concede two penalties and School went to the corner again.  They set up a threatening maul, but Alfie Lamb made a nuisance of himself and Mids won the ball back. School kept up the momentum, however, and another fine tackle by Sisk only delayed the inevitable and they scored their second try in the corner.  A second  fine conversion from the touchline made it 14-0.

A hanging kick off from Dan Crouch gave Farooq Agbalaya the opportunity to knock the ball back on the Mids’ side and they spread the ball wide for Ali Hall to sprint clear of his younger opponent and claim Mids’ first score.

In the last quarter School seemed to have strengthened their squad.  They followed through and registered their third try for a 19-5 lead. Mids then produced a really sparkling move which led to a mazy run from Sisk who beat several defenders, but the finish was denied by a dubious School hand. Mids attacked again and had the last say when they pounded the line. Macaskill, Lamb and Crouch were all held up just short, but McEvilly got the touchdown.  Jack Greenwood chipped over the conversion to close out an enjoyable and productive encounter with a 19-10 win for the Leavers.

GERRY MURPY