1st v Old Dunstonians 18th November 2017

Trojans took the long road to Beckenham to play Old Dunstonians in the second round of the RFU Senior Vase. An interesting game was in prospect as ODs held a similar position in London SE 3 as Trojans in London SW 3 but, although still entertaining, the cold, wet weather rather spoilt the spectacle. Nevertheless Trojans enjoyed an ultimately convincing win.

Trojans had an early scoring opportunity when, following an attack, a defensive kick was charged down and the ball was fumbled over the line. Soon after, and following a number of attacks by both sides, Old Dunstonians fumbled the slippery ball over their own line and Dan Corbett was on hand to dive on the ball. Trojans seemed to be beginning to get on top with some good flowing backs moves but ODs were also putting some good moves together and on twenty minutes their winger scored in the corner. Trojans were still generally on top but ODs broke out of their own half with a darting run by their other winger to score and put ODs into the lead. Trojans were not put off, however, and with five minutes of the half to go, Alex Williams stole a great ball in a 5 metre line-out and the resulting maul pushed over the line and Jack Groves claimed the touch down with a long distance conversion from Toogi Long. Williams was again in action as the half closed with a strong tackle-breaking run down the touch-line and into the ODs half with a chip ahead allowing Dave Linton to pick up and score with another long range conversion by Long.

Trojans started the second half strongly and a bullocking charge by Jack Groves took play deep into the OD half and from a sharp backs move to the right, Toogi Long put in a great cross kick to the left allowing debutant winger Phil Wiseman to beat the defence to the touch down with Longs conversion just going wide. On the quarter hour, Trojans threatened the ODs line and a five metre scrum almost pushed over the line and as the ball slipped out of the back of the scrum, scrum-half Neal Haworth picked up and dived over at the base of the post giving Long an easy conversion. ODs then put up some good attacks but the Trojans defence stood firm and play moved back to the ODs half and on the half hour Long kicked a penalty. Although now well behind, ODs kept up their attacks but still the Trojans defence held firm to close out the game.