Match report by Mark Macaskill

Trinity Vets 37 – 19 PJF/Chipstead Vets

Trinity Vets welcomed Fish & Chips back to LMA for a return Vets fixture which the away side won in the first encounter. Trinity were much changed with welcome returns to the turf for John Bocking, Andy Edwards & Gareth Barker.

The game kicked off with PJF/Chips playing down the slope which they used to their advantage with Trinity conceding needless penalties and territory. The first 10 minutes Trinity were defending their line but stout defence prevented the away side from crossing the whitewash – heroic defence from the pack, in particular, Juppy, AndyE, Zou, Scotty and JB tackling their hearts out.

The tide turned and Trinity began to gain possession and play some open rugby up the slope – lineout was working well with Juppy & George singing in harmony, and our scrum was solid with Dom / Juppy / NickH / ChrisM in control. George/Stanners combination up the blind worked very well offering some good carries from MattF, Les and Sparky. Strong phase played resulted in Zou barging over for a brace of scores following good interplay from the forwards.

3 tries to nil up at half time and all was looking rosy, Trinity had the upper hand, a full bench and a decent level of enthusiasm in the squad for the 2nd half. Kick off from JamesO who marshalled the troops excellently at 10 and Trinity were back on the scoreboard with tries from Sparky and a nicely worked score in the corner for the returning Gareth Barker. The pick of the 2nd half scores was from GeorgeD who ran one in from halfway evading PJF/Chips tacklers to dot down under the sticks. Sparky and RobF in the centres were bringing strong carries back towards the oppo pack who looked tired. The Stanton / Orchard combo at 9/10 functioned very well and they both deservedly got on the score sheet in the second half beating the oppo defence to run in from distance.

To their credit Fish n Chips finished the game strongly and deservedly scored 3 late tries as the Trinity defence ran out of steam – the ref blew for full time and the game was won. Plans for a 3rd and final decider to be played are in discussion perhaps at the end of the season to complete the Trinity v PJF/Chipstead Vets trilogy. A great game hopefully enjoyed by all and a pleasing victory for Trinity Vets.

Tries – Zou Mihremane x2, James Orchard, Mark Macaskill, Gareth Barker, Dave Stanton, George Daniels

Squad – Nick Hamilton, Tim Jupp, Dom Plumb, Zou Mihremane, Alex Scott, Andy Edwards, John Bocking, George Daniels, Dave Stanton, James Orchard, Doug Sheard, Mark Macaskill, Rob Farmer, Matt Fletcher, Les Todd, Chris Mitchell, Laurence Oliver, Russell Jones, Jon Eynon, Paul Johnson, Gareth Barker, John Murray