Ellingham’s 1st XV travelled to Trojans with only 16 players due to injury problems. In a closely fought first half where neither side scored Ellingham’s problems worsened when outside centre, Ben Carey, got tackled into the signboards and left the field with a concussion. The first half ended 0-0 despite Ellingham’s dominant scrum crossing the try line twice in the space of a few minutes: Trojans managed to successfully defend the onslaught.
Trojans started the second half with intent and soon found a route around Ellingham’s makeshift defence, scoring an unconverted try in the corner. Galvanised by going behind Ellingham heaped pressure on Trojans from the restart winning a penalty. The familiar kick to the corner, lineout and drive led to Connor Scott scoring and Chris Frost converting. By now, however, Ellingham were down to 14 men after lock, George Randall, who injured his shoulder in the first half when a scrum collapsed was forced to leave the field.
Despite the numbers deficit Ellingham now looked the fresher of the two sides and presented with a kickable penalty opted to go for the corner again. Captain Veneroso’s confidence in his forwards was rewarded with Corben Hills scoring from a well worked maul. Chris Frost added the extra two points. Ellingham continued to match the home side with a good mix of tight and open play which left Trojans unsure of where to place their defence. Sammy Veneroso spotted a mismatch on the blindside and a combination of quick feet and mind, coupled with a sublime dummy sent him over in the corner for an unconverted try.
Ellingham’s homes of a potential fourth try bonus point were quickly doused when tighthead prop, Mike Treloar, was unable to continue with a back injury. Trojans, sensing the opportunity, camped in Ellingham’s 22 for the final 10 minutes of the game. A combination of valiant defence and canny play thwarted the home side but tested the referee’s patience. In the end Connor Scott received a yellow due to the growing penalty count and Ellingham were reduced to 12 men. Despite hooker, Pat Fraser, and backrow forwards Lewis Nicholl and Dean Smith (man of the match & pictured) hurling their bodies at the attack Trojans scored a converted try in the last play of the game and earned themselves a losing bonus point.