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02/03/08   Andover     (H) League   W 31 – 7

Andover won the toss and kicked downfield. Bradley Hughes took a magnificent catch and went on a storming run up field with the ball but was brought down by an aggressive Andover defence. Andover won the ball from a scrum and broke loose on a fast attacking run out towards the wing but Gregg Wood made a superb tackle to stop Andover in their tracks. Tom Pointer made some long kicks with the ball up field in an attempt to gain  ground for Trojans but Andover, being initially more alert than Trojans, made it tough for Trojans to make any real progress. However, despite Trojans being penalized twice in succession for holding on, Andover failed to capitalize on the opportunities. As Andover kicked the ball long to clear, it bounced up generously for Marshall Pedersen to run on to but the ball was dropped and a knock on was awarded to Andover in Trojans twenty two. Trojans gave away a third penalty for holding on in the ruck followed by a penalty awarded to Trojans for a dangerous tackle by Andover on Tom Pointer. From the penalty Trojans made a strong charge with the ball but were pushed out of touch at Andover’s five metre line. From the lineout the ball found its way to Will Slowen who stormed his way into the Andover defensive line with the forwards close behind him in support. James Wheeler came in behind the ruck with a powerful thrust which advanced the ruck nearer to the try line and, as the ball came clear at the base of the ruck, Donald Kemp was able to pick it up and hurl himself over the try line for Trojans first try of the match. Sadly, the conversion was missed. Trojans relief to score was visible and as the game restarted their normal style of play started to re-establish itself. Towards the end of the first half Trojans won a great lineout in Andover’s twenty two and after several phases of play, that saw Trojans make steady progress towards Andover’s try line, an almost identical second try was scored by James Wheeler, who found the ball at the base of the ruck, and cannoned himself over the try line to ground the ball. Nick Wotton made a great conversion. H/T 12 – 0

Trojans reinforced their dominance on the game in the second half winning an instant Andover lineout and made some well worked progression up field. Donald Kemp received the ball from an off load out of a tackle and was able to dodge the Andover defence in order to put the ball down over the try line for Trojans third try, followed by a another successful conversion by Nick Wotton. Andover made the game difficult for Trojans but they were unable to make any real penetration through the Trojans defensive line in order to score. As Trojans made another attack near Andover’s try line a penalty was awarded to Trojans for Andover coming in from the side. However, the penalty was reversed due to some dissent by Trojans. Fortunately for Trojans, Andover were unable to make anything of the opportunity that had been handed. Once again, Trojans found themselves on the winning end of an impressive driving maul that saw Dylan Sanders take the ball and make a charging run towards the try line successfully beating Andover’s defensive line and placed the ball down for Trojans fourth try. Nick Wotton successfully converted the try. Towards the end of the match Trojans collected the ball from the lineout and once again drove a powerful maul several metres up field right over the Andover try line so that Dylan Sanders, at the back of the maul, was able to nonchalantly put the ball down at his feet for Trojans fifth try of the game but sadly, the conversion was missed. In the final minutes of the game Andover took advantage of an overlap on the Trojans wing and were able to squeeze in a try and a great conversion before the final whistle. F/T 31 - 7

10/02/08   Vectis   (A)   League   W 32 - 3

Trojans travelled over to The Isle of Wight for this league fixture against Vectis. Trojans won the toss, kicked off play and quickly put Vectis under pressure. Following several phases of attacking play by Trojans a scrum was awarded in Vectis’s twenty two. From the scrum, some hard hitting play very early on by Vectis indicated that this match was going to be a challenge. Trojans were penalised immediately for handling the ball in the ruck and Vectis took the opportunity to kick the ball across field out of touch leading to their lineout. Vectis snatched the ball from the lineout and launched an attack along the wing however, an alert Zack Kaye had the move covered with a fierce tackle and, together with Tom Pointer, they forced Vectis out of touch. As play resumed, Trojans appeared to be temporarily rattled by Vectis who were successfully denying Trojans their normal flow of  rugby. Play extended from the one end of the pitch to the other with neither team able to secure a try. Trojans were clearly frustrated but steadily increased the pressure on Vectis who eventually were made to give away a penalty. Tom Pointer successfully took the kick putting the first points on the board for Trojans.  Immediately that play had resumed, the referee penalised Trojans for off side and Vectis took the opportunity to even the score from the penalty kick. With a few minutes of play left in the first half a knock on by Trojans saw a scrum awarded to Vectis in their own twenty two but after a few scrambled phases of play Nick Wotton found himself with the ball and dived over the try line. Unfortunately, the conversion was not made. In the closing minutes of the first half Trojans lost their concentration and gave away two penalties to Vectis. Vectis were not able to take advantage of the opportunities that they had been handed by Trojans and in their frustration some indiscipline crept into their game. H/T 3 – 8

Trojans came out with the intention to dominate the second half and had clearly regained their composure. Will Slowen put pressure on the Vectis receiver turning the ball over for Trojans and following a few phases of attacking play, Nick Wotton received the ball and easily placed the ball down over the try line for Trojans second try of the match. Tom Pointer made a successful conversion kick. Trojans were stirred up following the second try and play resumed with Marshall taking a magnificent catch and making a penetrating run up through the middle of the Vectis defensive line only to be brought down in a crashing tackle. Trojans worked a well drilled lineout that saw the ball passed out along the line and after a few phases of play Trojans successfully set up a driving maul. From the maul, Trojans went on the attack again with Vectis having to make some aggressive defensive play in order to stop Trojans from scoring again. Several minutes of hard hitting rugby was to follow resulting in some indiscipline from Vectis. As play resumed, Ollie Haddon was passed the ball and made a running dive in to the corner flag to secure a third try for Trojans. Sadly, the conversion was missed. Play resumed at high tempo which saw both teams giving away careless knock on’s but Trojans kept Vectis at bay. From a scrum the ball was passed out to Tom Pointer who went on an uncatchable run to place the ball at the foot of the posts for Trojans fourth try and skilfully kicked the conversion.  Trojans maintained their commitment to win throughout the second half maintaining the pressure on Vectis and attacking relentlessly with a massive all round team effort. Trojans reaped their rewards with a fifth try in the closing minutes made by Dylan Sanders. Tom Pointer closed the game with a successful conversion. F/T 34 - 3

20/01/08 Jersey (H) League D 15 - 15

Trojans played their home league fixture against Jersey at Hamble due to the poor home pitch conditions. However, without the real home pitch advantage, Trojans still went into this match determined to win and ready for a battle knowing that Jersey have displayed great form this season. Trojans lost the toss, kicked off and immediately put Jersey under pressure in their own twenty-two. Following several phases of rucking and good driving by Trojans, Dylan Sanders found the ball and smashed his way over the try line and grounded the ball. Tom Pointer made a successful conversion kick to give Trojans an early lead of 7-0. When play resumed, Will Slowen took the ball from the maul and went on a storming run up field with Jersey finding it hard to bring him down. Will passed the ball out to Tom Bryan, who gained more vital ground before he off loaded it swiftly to Nick Wotton. Nick sprinted towards the try line with the ball but Jersey managed to rouse their defence and brought him down in a desperate tackle. A scrum was awarded at the five-metre line but Trojans failed to capitalize on the opportunity to get more points on the board. Jersey, who had been on the back foot, were now alert and instantly took the ball on the run with some well drilled passing which saw them narrowly squeeze a try into the bottom corner of Trojans twenty-two, however, they failed to convert the kick. Some tough rugby resumed and play extended from one end of the pitch to the other with both teams refusing to yield. Jersey kicked the ball deep into Trojans half and scored their second try with a well-kicked conversion. Jersey’s confidence grew visibly following their second try and they launched an instant attack up field. Trojans successfully scrambled back into defence, won the ball and passed it out perfectly along the attacking line up to Zack Kaye who flew up the wing with the ball only to be brought down at the five-metre line. From the scrum, the indomitable Dylan Sanders dived over the line to secure Trojans second try. Sadly, the conversion was narrowly missed. HT 12-12

The second half saw Trojans confident play continue and they were determined not to let Jersey steal a win. However, Jersey stepped up their game and their aggression level making several phases of hard attacking play. Jersey came close to another try when they kicked the ball long down in to Trojans half but Ben McCormack valiantly chased the ball back deep into his own half and denied Jersey any glory. Jersey were awarded a penalty at the ten-metre line and they made a fierce charge into the Trojans defensive line. Trojans were able to keep Jersey at bay showing great defensive work but gave away an untimely penalty. The penalty was successfully taken putting Jersey in the lead heading towards full time. Some terrific rugby was to follow by Trojans, who were winning their lineout’s, passing the ball out swiftly down the line on attack and covering the wing well when Jersey made an assault. Following another successful lineout by Trojans, towards the end of the match, a high tackle was made on Ollie Haddon by Jersey and Trojans were awarded a penalty. Tom Pointer skilfully converted the penalty kick to even the match. FT 15-15

09/12/07 Alton (A) League W 39 - 0

Trojans fourth league match of the season away at Alton was played out, yet again, in atrocious conditions. Having lost their last two league matches Trojans had a must win game on their hands! Alton won the toss and kicked off only to be confronted by an immediate and aggressive Trojans attack. Trojans won the ball and immediately passed it out to Ollie Haddon who made a blistering run up field gaining vital ground to Alton’s five metre line. Stuart Richmond passed out a swift ball from the scrum which found Ollie Haddon who skimmed himself through the Alton players and over the try line to score Trojans first try of the match. Unfortunately, the try was not converted. Play resumed with Trojans enforcing their play upon Alton making it impossible for them to break out of their own half. Trojans found the ball and kicked it forward through Alton to be collected by Ollie Haddon who instantly went on a run with the ball only to trip two metres from the try line. A scrum was awarded and Trojans made a further attack but the ball was dropped. Alton were able to scoop the ball up and make their first real attempt at taking the game to the Trojans half but, as they passed the ball out wide, Tom Pointer intercepted it and went on a swerving run up field. Alton brought Tom down with a magnificent tackle but Elliot Collis retrieved the ball and dived into the corner for Trojans second try. Trojans failed to convert the try. Play resumed and saw Trojans still attacking in Alton’s half and a further scrum at the five metre line was awarded to Trojans. Stuart Richmond passed a great ball out wide to Nick Wotton who took the ball easily over Alton’s try line making Trojans third try, followed by a successful conversion.  Shortly before half time, Alton found themselves confined deep in their own half and following some aggressive rucking by Trojans, Donald Kemp was able to ground the ball over the try line for Trojans fourth try. HT Score 0-22

The second half saw Trojans enforce their domination on the game and with some changes made on the field, Trojans found fresh resolve to prove themselves further. Much of the same play was to follow by Trojans with three further excellent tries from Will Slowen, James Wheeler and Eddy Romilly. This was a great all round display by Trojans and they should take confidence from this in to their next matches! Score FT 0-39

18/11/07 Havant (A) League L 0 - 7

Trojans played their third league match of the season against Havant in atrocious conditions. Trojans won the toss and kicked first. The cold and slippery pitch conditions thwarted any inspirational play by either team and any progress up field with the ball was a challenge. As expected, Havant came on strong in attack but Trojans defended competently against their onslaught. Much of the play was confined to the half way line with both teams winning turnovers at the ruck but without any further successful phases of play being carried through.

Havant became visibly frustrated by Trojans who denied them their usual style of play which digressed into some indiscipline by Havant. Eventually, Havant forced play up field and, after several phases of rucking on the Trojans five metre line, Havant made a break and dived towards the try line. Havant were awarded the try. Havant successfully converted the try to make the score 0-7 as the referee blew for half time at 26minutes. HT 0-7

Trojans came out for the second half with rigid determination to take the game to Havant and continued to defend well when tested, making some huge tackles around the fringes. In attack, Trojans were constantly looking for the try line and took on Havant with valiant runs through the middle of the field.

Trojans best chance during the second half was a brave darting run made by Nick Wotton who weaved his way up through the field but, as the ball was passed out wide, it spilled out in to touch. Havant found themselves having to scramble back into defensive mode just managing to keep the Trojans advancing attacks at bay. Trojans aggression level and resolve to level the game grew visibly as the second half progressed and looked likely to make their way to the try line but any possible comeback was thwarted when the referee decided to end the second half at 25 minutes. FT 0-7

21/10/07 Winchester (A) League L 12 - 19

Trojans second league match of the season was a game against Winchester away, Winchester finished top of the league last season. Trojans won the toss and kicked first with Winchester taking the catch and instantly mounting an attack. Some scrappy play by both teams in midfield lead to the ball coming loose, Trojans found the ball and passed it out to Tom Pointer who ran into trouble. Trojans displayed some good rucking in order to secure the ball but failed to retain the advantage. A penalty was awarded to Trojans following an infringement in the ruck by Winchester but Trojans failed to convert the penalty kick as the ball narrowly missed the post.

Winchester quickly collected the ball and following a few phases they passed the ball out wide and, with Trojans unable to contain Winchester, they scored their first try with a successful conversion. Too many fumbled and dropped balls out wide cut dead any real progress that Trojans could have made. More of the same was to follow with Trojans not clearing the ball quickly enough and, with some vital tackles missed, allowed Winchester to score their second try and successful conversion. Score at HT 14-0

Trojans commenced the second half with more urgency and determination to get on the score board. Trojans dominated the mid field and most of the contested play was made in Winchesters half but Trojans kept failing to capitalize on their hard fought work. The desire to gain ground with probing runs from one or two players and, with few passes offered up, Trojans made themselves easy to read. Trojans were awarded a scrum following a knock on by Winchester at their five metre line. Trojans first big effort was stopped inches from the try line, however, Nick Wotton retrieved the ball from the base of the ruck and dived over the line for Trojans first try of the match with a successful conversion by Tom Pointer.

Trojans were now back in the game and following the try Trojans took more control of the game and less basic errors were made. Some hard play by both teams followed in midfield. Winchester were penalized for killing the ball and Trojans were awarded another penalty on the Winchester twenty two metre line.

Trojans took the penalty quickly gaining vital ground and quickly spun the ball out to Will Slowen on the wing, who carried the ball forward only to be brought down by Winchester just short of the try line. Once again, Nick Wotton retrieved the ball from the base of the ruck and dived over the try line to score Trojans second try but the conversion was narrowly missed. The last fifteen minutes of the match saw Trojans rediscover their form but Winchester managed to squeeze in a third try before the final whistle. Sadly, there was not enough time left in the match for Trojans to even the score. FT 19-12

23/09/07 New Milton (H) League W 27 - 7

The 2007/08 season kicked off with Trojans first league match against New Milton. New Milton finished one place above Trojans in the league last season. The match got off to an explosive start with Trojans attacking from the whistle taking New Milton by surprise. Trojans put in some hard fought support work resulting in Dylan Sanders scoring Trojans first try of the match. New Milton instantly mounted an attack in reply but Trojans easily contained their play, taking some big hits. Following a quickly taken penalty Trojans made a charging attack but a knock on was awarded to New Milton. New Milton were unable to capitalize on the opportunity as Corey Duff took a great catch and the ball was passed out to Nick Wotton who forced his way over the line to score Trojans second try with a successful conversion. Following some aggressive play in mid field Trojans successfully converted a penalty kick which was awarded to them following some indiscipline by New Milton. The try of the match was scored by Dylan Sanders who determinedly carried the ball up field kicking it forward past New Milton only to collect the ball and dive over the try line to score Trojans third try! The first half of the match was almost entirely played out in New Milton’s own half with them on the back foot. Score at HT 20-0.

The second half of the match saw New Milton set out to bring the game back to Trojans and some hard fought rugby was played out at the half way line resulting in New Milton maneuvering their way up field to score their first try of the game with a successful conversion. Momentarily, Trojans seemed to lose their first half momentum but quickly recovered by forcing themselves into New Milton’s half. Bradley Hughes made a mighty charge with the ball into the New Milton defensive line gaining vital ground. New Milton were struggling to defend and, unable to contain Trojans, the ball was passed out to Tom Pointer who screamed up field swinging past New Milton to score a sensational try followed by a successful conversion. Trojans kept up the pressure on New Milton right until the final whistle. A most impressive start to the season and a great team effort.

Kim Wheeler

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This page last updated:  14 February, 2008