Match report from Steve Barnes

Trojans Colts 1st XV v Basingstoke Colts 1st XV
Sunday 16th November 2014 2.00pm
League – Cup Division
Playing Condition – Overcast and Cold
After the narrowest of defeats at Havant 2 weeks ago, the Colts First team were aiming to go one better against Basingstoke this afternoon. The game took place at KES, due to the poor playing conditions at Trojans. The first ten minutes were littered with penalties conceded by both teams, but played mainly in the Basingstoke half. T’s took the lead when Basingstoke were penalised right in front of the posts, and Kal Traynor kicked the points. T’s were now enjoying a period of concerted pressure, and looking dangerous when the ball got out to the backs. This led to T’s first try, with the ball finally going wide to Luke Till, who scored in the corner. Basingstoke were soon back in the game. A penalty against T’s gave Basingstoke a 5 metre lineout. From the second phase of play, their forwards forced the ball over the line for try number 1. Shortly afterwards, Basingstoke almost doubled their points score, but strong T’s defence managed to hold the ball up, although it had crossed the line. Basingstoke were now in the ascendancy. A Penalty 5 metres out and a quick tap caught t’s napping, which gave the visitors a converted try. T’s should have scored straight from the Kick off, but butchered the chance. The a great run by Ben Quera, gave Mike SW a chance to score, but the ball was knocked on as T’s crossed the line.
HT Trojans 8- 12 Basingstoke

T’s started the second half on the attack. Luke Till again looked dangerous but was forced into touch just short of the line. From the 5 metre lineout, Basingstoke tried to kick clear, but Max Self charged the ball down, then pounced to score, converted by Kal Traynor. However, the lead did not last long, with Basingstoke replying with a converted try of their own. The game continued without further score, although T’s certainly had their chances.

Final Score Trojans 15 – 17 Basingstoke
Tries
Till, Self
Conversion
Traynor
Penalty
Traynor
In Summary, The Forwards were OK at Set Pieces, but were too often bullied off the ball in open play by a faster and more aggressive Basingstoke pack. The backs looked dangerous, but saw too little of the ball. We still had our chances to win this, but just did not take enough of them
My Trojans MOTM goes to Ben Quera
This was Ben’s first game for Trojans, having just joined the club. He played in the centre’s and put in some fine runs, always gaining ground.