TRINITY VETS 7 – 45 KCS OLD BOYS VETS
Trinity Vets first game of the season arrived on a mild Friday evening under the lights at LMA – our visitors KCS Old Boys Vets and the pitch/conditions looked pretty good. Dave Stanton captained the side with welcome returns to rugby for Stewart Sales, Matt Hutchings and Nic Jupp.

KCS kicked off and recovered possession applying immediate pressure to the Trinity line, however strong defense repelled the oppo and Trinity worked their way down the hill effectively. Good lineout ball with Tim Jupp hitting Mark Handley & Neal Leather well meant Trinity were able to camp on the KCS line, close forward carries from Alex Scott, Nathan Bacon & Ali Hall in particular forced Trinity very close to the line but mistakes cost them and KCS were able to clear their lines.

KCS moved the ball well and were able to make effective yards playing up the hill in the first half -this resulted in a first try via a clever kick through from their 10 which was converted. Trinity roared back but again couldn’t cross the line, KCS infringed regularly in the red zone but Trinity were not ruthless enough to cross the line. In familiar fashion, KCS responded with a well-worked try 14-0 leading into halftime.

Trinity were working very well in the forwards with close carries generating yards & pressure – Dom Plumb, Nick Hamilton and Laurence Oliver carrying very well and out breakdown work was good – this resulted in Alex Glover crossing the line after a break on the 22 – 14-7 and the halftime whiste below.

With the prospect of playing up the hill in the 2nd half, Trinity talked about controlling possession and reducing the oppo opportunities to spread the ball wide where they had been causing problems. Zou Mihremane and Matt Hutchings joined the fray and the 2nd half kicked off.

An immediate score from the kickoff for KCS pushed them further ahead and similar to the 1st half Trinity couldn’t convert their pressure to points. Mark Macaskill & James Orchard made a few line breaks and Captain Stanton marshalled the forwards well. The game was effectively won early in the 2nd half with two more scores out wide from their impressive left winger. Highlights for Trinity were seeing Stewart Sales carry up the left wing and almost cross for a deserved score – Nic Jupp joined his bro on the pitch for his first game since school and Alex Scott continually carrying well.

45-7 was the result and KCS deserved winners – Trinity will rue not being able to convert points when on the oppo line, especially in the 1st half playing down the slope and contain the KCS outside backs. Our next game is away to Reigate Vets on Friday 15th December.

Squad – Dom Plumb, Matt Austin, Tim Jupp, Nick Hamilton, Neal Leather, Mark Handley, Nathan Bacon, Ali Hall, Alex Scott, Dave Stanton (c), Alex Glover, Doug Sheard, Mark Macaskill, James Orchard, Matt Fletcher, Stewart Sales, Jon Eynon, Matt Hutchings, Laurence Oliver, Nic Jupp, Zou Mihremane

Match Report – Mark Macaskill
Friday 27th October 2023
Lime Meadow Avenue, Sanderstead