Academy Friendly

On a cold and bright Autumn afternoon Trojans Academy travelled to Winchester for what was expected to be and turned to be a close game.

Winchester were in the ascendancy in the first quarter of the game with most of the game being played in the Trojans half.With their impressive no10 orchestrating the game through a strong pack Winchester pressed forward .Trojans held firm with steadfast defence repelling the attacks with occasional forays over the halfway line.However after 20 minutes WInchester's forwards finally got the reward for their efforts with a try that was converted, 7-0.

Trojans came back into the game and from a line out they drove forward with Skipper JC passing to David M who dived over the line to score, 7-5 . Winchester tried to come back into the game through their forwards however a determined Trojans team pushed back. From a Winchester attack a chip over the top bounced favourably for Winchester allowing them score to take it to 12-5 at half time.

The second half produced more of the same with Winchester playing through their forwards and Trojans counter attacking. Early in the second half the Trojans pack had created a wonderful attacking platform close to the Winchester line.Tom KO took the ball, shimmied past three defenders and stretched over the line to score ,12-10.

As Trojans pressed forward sensing they had the ascendancy a strong Winchester team held fast and were helped as Trojans frustratingly got close on several occasions with final pass not going to hand or being knocked on.

The game became more spread out with both sides seeking gaps and space. A rolling maul from a Winchester line out was pushed back for three phases by the Trojans defence until eventually Winchester crossed the line, 17-10.

Try as they could both sides failed to increase their score with a jubilant Winchester team running out winners 17-10.

Trojans were left to reflect on what might of been and take the positives from the game which provided a good workout for the Academy squad and identify a number of areas to work on collectively and as individuals over the weeks ahead. Winchester however were worthy winners of a highly competitive friendly fixture.