Match report by Gerry Murphy

Counties League 1 Surrey and Sussex

Weybridge Vandals 62  Trinity  7

In the corresponding fixture in November Trinity lost narrowly to Vandals but in this encounter, they were simply not at the races. 

Trinity kicked off and created a good attacking position when a careless pass was pounced on by the eager Vandals backs and they ran in their first try after only 2 minutes.  From the kick off they set up a ruck and then exploited a missed tackle to double their lead with a mere 4 minutes on the clock.  They scored again after 8 minutes after Trinity had been twice penalised for high tackles,  Vandals taking full advantage and adding a 7 pointer to go ahead 17-0.  Eventually Mids managed to stem the flow with more solid tackling and with flanker Ben Vaillant showing his usual spirit. A powerful Trinity scrum won a penalty, but the resurgence was short-lived.  Weybridge scored their bonus point try in the 21^st minute.

A fine turnover by Olly Hubbard gave Trinity their first scoring opportunity in the 28^th minute.  Tom Black made a solid line out catch in the corner and Adam Stammers took the ball on in the next phase.  Again, the move broke down with a loose pass and Vandals broke away.  Only good tackling by Hubbard and Temi Okenla and three turnovers, two by Farooq Agbalaya and one by Ben Telfer kept the score down.  Just on half time Max Maynard was harshly sent to the bin for a minor infringement as the referee decided that the penalty count against Trinity had to be recognised. Weybridge kicked the penalty to lead 27-0 at the interval.

The visitors rather messed up the kick off and suffered further pain as Vandals tidied up well and sent in their flanker for another 7 pointer. Mids now did make some progress with Vaillant winning a penalty.  They laid siege to the home line and Stammers was over but denied as the referee was unsighted. They kept the pressure on and Vandals were penalised 4 times.  Eventually the 14 men were rewarded when Jack Greenwood switched the direction of attack and Andy Dean ran a powerful line to crash over.  Greenwood converted and 34-7 looked a bit better.

Vandals were much too strong, however, and scored 4 more converted tries as they seemed to be able to create enough space to have 2 or 3 man overlaps at will.

Trinity did not give up and deserved another couple of scores at least as they launched some fierce attacks on the home line but did not get the best of the refereeing.  Conor McGrath was over but held up and there were further good carries by Vaillant, Hubbard, Ali Hall and  Black.