Gents, I was at the Trinity v Waverley game and with all respect think it fell somewhere between the assessments of Brumbiejack and CASfan.
Please note I am an old boy a couple of decades removed from school, so don't know most of the players, the coaches, personalities etc, so apologies in advance that I just use the players' numbers to refer to them.
Trinity's 6 tries to Waverley's 3 so, while not out of the top drawer was still an entertaining enough game, especially the second half, and wasn't a knock-on-a-thon by any means.
In a disjointed first half there was some nice play in there at times too. Trinity's first try was straight off the training park, with players in motion across the backline allowing the 10 to pick out the 15 and put him over early in a very nicely worked move. The coach would have been chuffed.
Indeed, the pace and fleet footwork of Trinity's 15 looked a threat whenever he got the ball, even in heavy traffic. He was also committed and effective in defence.
Some enterprising early play didn't continue for long and a fairly disjointed first half wasn't helped by the refereeing. Although he didn't favour either side, I felt the ref could have let the game breath a little more, which he did in the second half, and much of the first half was dictated by penalties being awarded before play could develop past a couple of phases.
Although it was disorganised, I thought both sides showed commitment, including in scrambling hard at times to cover inside defensive errors. Trinity's 13 in particular made some excellent tackles in the first half to shut down some promising attack as Waverley moved it wide and seemingly found it easy to penetrate Trinity's defence in the middle of the park.
Waverley's second try came from soft defence by Trinity through the middle, with several players falling of tackles from a strong run by a player whose jersey I didn't catch. But it was no softer than what I saw during the first half of the Tahs v Hurricanes later that day, so I think we should take it a little easy on the schoolboys!
The "soft" defence may partially be a perception caused because Waverlery's 10 and Trinity's 12 both look to be large, aggressive and strong ball runners. I suspect that both of them will bend some defensive lines from other sides this year. Trinity's 12 was guilty of overplaying his hand a couple of times early on though and Trinity butchered at least one certain try when the 14, well positioned on a huge overlap early on did not receive a pass from 12 who, with only 10m to run decided to try and break a tackle and score himself (unsuccessfully).
I must say that I thought the 12 injured early after an impact but did not dislocate his shoulder and that it was another player who was carrying his arm in a sling at the end of the game. As I say, I don't know the player names and stand to be corrected on that by someone with more intimate knowledge.
Waverley's 10 looks to be a particularly strong ball runner and I expect as their season progresses and his combination with his outside backs improves he has the potential to cause some headaches, as he will draw plenty of attention and create some space outside him.
Waverley came back into the game after Trinity's 8 was yellow carded late in the second half for an alleged indiscretion with the boot. There didn't seem to be much in it.
It was pretty much all Trinity after they were restored to full strength early in the second half. Their positional play was better in the second half as well, and their defence was more effective, with most of Waverley's midfield running shut down (in stark contrast to the first half), and with several heavy hits shaking the ball loose.
In essence, Trinity's pack came over the top of Waverley in the second half. The 8 went over for a try and then only moments later made a strong run to break the line and offload, with Trinity then swinging it wide to score in the corner and take a comfortable lead that wouldn't be threatened again.
After a very scrappy start, Trinity also showed hints of maturity towards the end of the game when, camped on Waverley's line and with a decent lead in place they locked the ball up in forward play for 5 minutes and effectively ground down the clock, resisting the temptation for flashy play that might risk Waverley scoring with time to give them hope. After 5 minutes Trinity couldn't resist any longer and did throw it wide and Waverley was able to march downfield again, although for a consolation drop goal rather than a try.
I didn't see the second of the reported three yellow cards to Trinity.
With only 30 seconds left in the game, Trinity's 1, who otherwise had a very strong game, received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. It looked more unfortunate than malicious. The Waverley player got himself into an awkward position after a strong collision. No complaints about the yellow card though, as the tackler must always take responsibility where a player comes down head first, but he wasn't pile driven into the ground and I saw nothing sinister in the play.
At the end, I think Trinity will be very pleased by their performance. I didn't see the Pat's game, but this looked like a totally different side to the one that one St Stanislaus toweled up a few weeks ago and they look to have a decent platform to go forward with some confidence, having outplayed Waverley at the set pieces and generally in the forwards.
Both Trinity and Waverley showed signs that they are teams likely to improve markedly as the season goes on, rather than teams that are peaking already after being ruthlessly drilled through a long pre-season.
Plainly both these side will want to work on their defensive games and neither looks cohesive enough challenge for the title at this early stage, but I would expect them both to improve through 2014 and, if they get it right, there is no reason they can't cause a few upsets during this year's CAS competition.
Congratulations to all the boys from both sides and good luck for the rest of the season.
As an aside, special mention to the 7 from Waverley's 2nd XV, whose pace and commitment secured him an outstanding individual try from a quick tap at the end of that game.
