Trojans Academy in action in National Academy Cup

Trojans Academy travelled to Old Ruts in Surrey for the 3rd round of the National Cup.Starting the game brightly Trojans showed their attacking intent pressed deep into the Old Ruts half. A move from right to left led to a dropped pass which Old Ruts recycled with their winger running from deep in their half to cross the line and score, 7-0.
Trojans re grouped with Dan W leading from the front and soon hit back with Will O crossing the line , 12-5.Both sides attacked and defended with strong intent and treated the hostile Old Ruts crowd to good display of Academy Rugby in a knockout competition.

Old Ruts were relying heavily on the counter attack and Trojans we caught out again with Old Ruts scoring to take the score to 14-5. Trojans dusted them selves down, dug deep and came back again with Tom KO going over from 5 yards out ,14-12 .With half time approaching Trojans pushed forward and were awarded a penalty which Tom KO kicked , 14-15 .

Half time 14-15.

The second half started in the same manner, fast paced and full of intensity. Trojans were camped in the Old Ruts half but went away from the red zone several times with no reward. Old Ruts were constantly infringing and the referee finally lost patience with the number of high tackles and yellow carded one of their players.Trojans pushed on and were rewarded when a flowing move lead to Josh R scoring ; which was later adjudged to be a penalty try due to the late high tackle from the Old Ruts defender as he touched down.Tom KO converted to take the score to 15-22.

Old Ruts moved their influential 10 to 9 and soon they came back into the game. The Trojans defence held firm under pressure from Old Ruts and the atmosphere became more intimidating as a large Old Ruts crowd cheered their team on. From a line out Old Ruts pushed forward and were stopped close to the line with a Trojans defender receiving a yellow card.Trojans as a team held firm working hard for each other.Shortly afterwards from a period of pressure Trojans missed a penalty chance that would have taken them ahead.

From a line out Old Ruts created an attacking platform from which they managed to release on of their runners to score in the corner, 29-22. Old Ruts pushed forward again and with Trojans seeking to score the game became more open.Old Ruts took advantage of a defensive slip to cross under the posts to take the score to 37-2, a try which brought players, subs and a number of the crowd onto the pitch to celebrate.
The game finished 37-22 to Old Ruts.

Man of the match Dan W.

Trojans were left to rue missed chances, poor decisions but they could also take away from the game an intensity of performance they had not seen all season.Skipper JC and the coaching team all spoke of the positives from the performance and team spirit that was
shown. On a quiet coach trip home the team were left to reflect on what might have been and look forward to the weeks ahead.

Matt Carter