Hall scrape past newcomers

St Edmund Hall 27-LMH/Trinity 18: LMH were robbed of a huge upset win late in their opening match, away to champions St Edmund Hall. With Hall undermined by seven injuries, the visitors’ dominance at the set piece and an aggression and adventure out wide saw them build a healthy 13-0 lead early on before Hall showed yet again the class of champions, clawing their way back to snatch a victory.The first half belonged to LMH/Trinity, who won the majority of posession and had the wherewithall to use it. The game’s first try after ten minutes showed this. a cross kick to winger chris copplestone confounded the Hall defence, and he spilled the ball back for shaun Collins to score. Their second try, after half an hour, came as captain and flanker Jonny wright’s chip across the Hall line was collected by fullback tom Markham. after a Jack wallace penalty, faced a big deficit, but their icy cool showed itself once more. As the half drew to a close, the Hall backline fired to fashion a try for winger peter cay, and with rob Yates’ conversion the game was thrown wide open.The visitors scored first in the second half too. an excellent break by Markham, from between the half way and ten metre lines, led to a score for left wing Tom Harris. Hall struck back once more, and charged back into LMH/Trinity territory. From a lineout, the pack drove hooker paul Smith for a well worked score.The try saw Hall finally gain some ascendency. an hour gone they finally took the lead, after some rather scruffy passing gave cay enough space to skilfully round his marker. Yates converted from a difficult angle and, minutes later, added a straightforward penalty for a 22-18 lead, leaving LMH/Trinity in need of a try. Time was running out and as outside half George robinson tried to spark something with a horribly misconceived american football-style pass, david saleh capitalised and stole in for the decisive try.hall’s captain robert Newman understandably stressed that his side had been handicapped by injuries, but praised the squad players who had come in to replace more established names. his disappointed opposite number Jonny wright attributed his side’s late eclipse to a lack of fitness, stemming from games missed due to opposition concessions. if LMH/Trinity can rectify this, their skills and spirit leave no doubt that they can thrive in the top division.  ARCHIVE: 6th week MT 2005