Trinity School Croydon and Hampton School played out a game of high quality in preparation for their respective upcoming National U15 Cup fixtures, the Croydon side prevailing by a score of 38-14

Until Hampton lost a tough game in torrential rain at Berkhamsted (who in turn have only lost once, to an impressive Harrow side) the previous week-end, these two sides had been unbeaten this term. Trinity had looked particularly impressive in putting out neighbours Whitgift in the National U15 Cup. With the pitches at the school suffering from almost continuous recent rain, the game was played at the Sandilands pitches where the Trinity ground staff had done an excellent job in preparing a good playing surface.

The home side’s kick-off did not carry 10m, so Hampton had the put-in at a scrum on half way. Although possession was won at the set piece and the ball moved through the hands, Hampton were penalised and Trinity were able to set up a maul from the ensuing line-out on the right. Although that was stopped, Hampton were penalised when play was switched to the backs and another attacking line-out set up, this time on the left. This time the maul tactic proved unstoppable, hooker Butler touching down to open the scoring. Full back Bellamy’s touchline conversion attempt was well struck and hit the post but stayed out.

Although the restart was caught and kicked clear by Trinity, the Referee spotted players in front of the kicker interfering with play and it was Hampton’s turn to kick to touch on the right from the penalty. Possession was won, the ball moved to the backs on the left and, although stopped by Trinity, a handling error by the defence gave Hampton the put-in at the scrum. Although that was taken against the head, successive penalties conceded by Trinity gave the visitors possession in the right corner and pressure by the forward pack saw them score an equalising try, converted by an excellent kick from the touchline by inside centre Gellatley.

After both sides had exchanged clearance kicks, Trinity showed their ability to strike from deep, Bellamy taking a superb line in midfield and cutting through the defence on the right to score in the corner. Once again his conversion from wide out was well struck but narrowly missed. Following the restart Trinity maintained their territorial advantage, Molyneux showing good footballing skills for a second row when kicking to the corner.

Although Hampton were able to relieve the pressure, winning a penalty in midfield, the kick did not find touch and was caught by the dangerous Bellamy who ran back the kick before offloading to Fakorede. The wing showed great pace to cut through to the 22 before putting in a well weighted grubber which was gathered and touched down by Lall, showing excellent athleticism for a second row. Bellamy made no mistake with the simple conversion.

Half-time: Trinity School Croydon U15 17-7 Hampton School U15

Hampton looked to reduce the deficit after the interval, their full back running back possession to half way and the forwards taking play into the Trinity half, but again the home side’s counter-attack was clinical and two tries followed in quick succession. First, Bellamy showed his range of skills, breaking on the right before producing a sublime offload to enable Fakorede to score in the corner, before adding the conversion from the touchline. Then, as Hampton tried to respond, Trinity Vice-Captain Bailey intercepted in midfield and just had the legs to outpace the cover tacklers and score in the right corner. Bellamy was now warming to his task from the tee and landed the extras from the touchline.

Despite falling behind by over three scores, Hampton showed the home side that they could not afford to relax, winning an attacking line-out in the left corner and scoring from the ensuing maul. Gellatley showed that he too was a skilled exponent of the touchline conversion and his well-struck conversion attempt duly had the legs to make it over the bar. The momentum was now back with the West London side and Gellatley took a superbly timed inside ball to cut through in midfield, where Trinity were penalised.

With the penalty kicked to touch on the right and possession won, good hands by Hampton took play to the Trinity 22. Although Trinity were able to recover possession and clear, they were penalised for a high tackle and Hampton fly half Brownleader kicked to the left corner. The ensuing maul was stopped and the ball moved to strong running outside centre Luckman in midfield and although he was held, Trinity were penalised and the line-out / driving maul tactic repeated. This time the maul was driven to the line but excellent defensive work prevented the grounding and Hampton were awarded a 5m scrum. Although possession was won, Trinity were able to disrupt that and clear. However they were soon under pressure again when an attempted clearance kick by Molyneux was charged down, though he made amends by getting back to beat the Hampton players to the ball and get downward pressure in the in-goal area.

Having withstood a period of prolonged pressure inside their 22, Trinity finally worked their way into the Hampton half, with more good work by Bellamy and Fakorede. Although the ball was judged to have gone forward and Hampton won possession from the ensuing scrum on their 22, their clearance kick went out on the full, giving Trinity an attacking line-out on the right. With the set piece possession won, the ball was moved to midfield where Bailey cut through to score under the posts. Fly half and captain Kennedy, taking over the place kicking duties, added the conversion.

Trinity came close to extending their lead, with Bellamy running out of defence and putting left wing McCulloch into space. Play was then switched right and a try looked certain, but a clear overlap was not exploited and Hampton had the put-in at a scrum on their 22. With Hampton No 8 Morgan carrying effectively from the base, Trinity were penalised on half way and Brownleader produced another superb kick, to give his side a line-out in the left corner and the chance of a consolation try in the final moments. The maul from the set piece surged towards the line and was taken down illegally, giving Hampton another penalty. Although pressure on the line continued for two more plays, the Trinity defence were able to hold out, and the end of the game was signalled without further addition to the score.

This was a great advertisement for U15 Rugby, with two talented and well coached teams: the final score did not reflect the close gap between the two sides. Had Hampton been able to convert their scoring opportunities midway through the second half, they might have put some pressure on Trinity, though one suspects that the Croydon side could always find another gear. Hampton now host Wellington College, whom they have already beaten in a block fixture this term, at home in the South-West Group A of the Cup, while Trinity face a tricky away tie with Dulwich in London & South-East A.

Full-time: Trinity School Croydon U15 38-14 Hampton School U15

By Peter Crawshaw

Teams:

Trinity School, Croydon U15: K Fleary, O Butler, G Lawrence Green, R Lall, H Molyneux, A Tagg. W Peart-Smith, R Matebalavu, D Gormley, F Kennedy (Capt), Z McCulloch, S Medcraft, O Bailey (Vice-capt), A Fakorede, J Bellamy

Replacements: Z Nizon, O Butler, S Chilvers

Hampton School U15: D Haarhoff, H Langrish (Capt), O Tynan, T Cowin, O Murray, H Donaldson, J Acela, J Morgan, F Skinner. J Brownleader, C U’Dell, Z Gellatley (Vice-Capt). N Luckman, W Barclay, R Finn

Replacements: M Taylor