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Sat 30 Nov 2019
Trojans Vets
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Trojan Vets 14-19 Havant Mariners
Mick Bacon1 Dec 2019 - 16:28
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If you want to win the cup then you had better hurry up
A fourth cup final in a row loomed for The Havant Mariners, as they travelled west to face a rejuvenated Trojans this Saturday afternoon at Stoneham Lane. Maintaining what can only be an aging team at veteran level is always difficult as history as proved. Havant Mariners were the first team ever to complete a triple back to back defence of the John Sneezam Cup , so a fourth would certainly be unprecedented. Trojans who have clearly come of age and able to push through some younger vets sent out a strong powerful squad filled with a massive well organised pack . As ever Captain James Hewitt was at the helm, and ready to face the challenge. With a ring of former Havant Superstars unavailable for the trip, every player had to be on top form to pull this game out of the Bag. Grant Morris and Justin Powell continued their great Charity work , Jamie Libby and Graham Butterworth were both injured and just as Armudas Morgan and Steve Cruddas are coming of age understandably their first team commitments would take priority over selection at this level.
Havant were still very strong in the outfield , Hewitt himself unselfishly left his name out of the starting line-up as Andrew Tart came in as Hooker , he lined up in the front row , with Darren Kingham-scott and Luke Davis , DKS only too happy to continue his love affair with the Hampshire cup and of course his very good friend Dom Francis .The second row saw Francis in his familiar pairing with Matt Godwin, Both big locks available for the game complete with “GOING OUT OUT “passes to carry on through the night in celebration should their team be successful. A rare occurrence for both men and following Big Dom’s performance in the Portsmouth drinking establishments after the match its not surprising . With timings not being his strong point ,Jon Barfoot shook off his rib injury and we think his watch to join Mick Bacon on the flanks and Matt Morgan stepped into the No8 for his first Vets cup match . An unfortunate warm up injury in his Labial area for Pete Living , meant a few last minute changes in the backs , Doug ”Muff” Elvy came in at scrum half so Matt Davis could push out to Stand off in place of the Dolphins Captain. Leighton Davies and Steve Stapleton were teamed together again and filled the midfield and Tom Merritt, Flower of Scotland Dean Duthie and Welshman Adam Terry started in the Back three .A strong bench of Andy Sowerby, Rob Davey , Jason Baldock , James Hewitt and a last minute call up for Andy woolhead were all in place as this year’s Finishers.
Trojans started the game with a slight wind advantage as they kicked the ball deep into the Havant half of the former Cattle field being used as the pitch . Morgan collected well at the first time of asking , both teams were prepared for the physical forwards game and that’s what followed for the first 15 minutes , Both teams battled for possession and both tackled and defended their lines well . The first break of the game fell to Havant as they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts 25 meters out, Merritt stepped up but could not find his range at the first attempt. Another midfield battle followed soon after and Trojan’s finally built up enough momentum to break then Havant defence and get the first try , the extras were added and Havant found themselves 7 points down with 20 minutes gone .
The Mariners were quick to respond as they attacked the Trojan half following the restart , The away team set up camp for the next five minutes and slowly drove the Southampton side back , another penalty was awarded and Havant struck quickly through Morgan who ran wide and pulled the home team out of position , Excellent support from Barfoot and Bacon secured the ruck and Elvy was quick to get the ball out to Davis , quick hands in the backs and a good run inside from Duthie broke the Trojan defence and the Scotsman fell over the line from 1 meter out , Merritt added the conversion and the scores were level. During the try attempt the score ended in Duthie suffering a nose bleed , so he was replaced by Rob Davey . Duthie retired to the dug out with his caring wife there to support him and with two tampon like swabs stuffed in his nose , Ironically they looked at home in that particular position but the Havant players could not quite put their fingers on where they had seen that sort of thing before. The final 5 minutes of the half provided Trojans with their best attacking phase of the match , but it was equally matched by the courageous tackling of the Havant defence, as the home team tried to push Havant into the right hand corner every man in a blue and white shirt stood up to be counted . The whistle blew to end the half but despite the onslaught it seemed to raise the Havant team as they walked in at Half time Trojans 7-7 Havant Mariners
It was now time for Havant to take the game to Trojans, another immense midfield battle followed , Elvy had moved to the wing , Davey slotted in at 13 as Matt Davis moved to nine and Stapleton took over the fly half role following the early departure of Duthie. The old bodies were starting to tire which led to a few simple unforced individual errors on both sides and the possession switched a few times , But it was Havant who were gaining the upper hand , Morgan was starting to dominate with some unbelievable runs and Havant were squeezing hard . A big Havant scrum saw Davis feed Stapleton who with a touch of genius beat his man to set Davies forward, great support from Barfoot created the overlap and Elvy was over to score , Merritt again struggled with the boot but Havant finally took the lead .
Following the re start Havant pressed again, the battle was fierce in the middle of the park , both teams thunderous in attack and defence , Duthie was now back on the field after treatment and James Hewitt was on for Tart. Havant broke free again and Hewitt nearly scored with his first touch but was tackled at the last minute. Bacon too came close a few minutes later , but the try was stopped for a previous knock on following a great charge down from Barfoot . The final nail in the trojan horse came with 18 minutes remaining , the Havant backs were instrumental again following some good forward foundation work and Merritt went over with a great finish in the righthand corner to take the game away and break the home teams hearts, the previously noisy home crowd went silent and the Havant faithful took over with the cheers. Merritt added the extras with the conversion to his own try and Havant opened up a clear gap
Trojans did not give up and the game continued in the same manner as it had for the first 62 minutes ,till the very end , and with two minutes to go the away side did get a consolation try but it was too little too late and as Havant saw out the last two minutes, the final whistle blew and Havant Mariners claimed their fourth Hampshire Cup in as many seasons.
The pitch side presentation commenced as Hewitt stepped up to lift the John Sneezham trophy and take it back to Hooks Lane once more , Bodies were battered and bruised but as the Mighty Havant Mariners sang if you want to win the cup then you had better hurry up it was very clear that the Havant boys are here.
As the beers flowed and the team sank them into the night ,a tired Dom Francis rested his eyes in the Kings Pub , there was talk of five. Five Cups they said , could it be done they said , One more year they promised , and one more Sambuca they drank .
Final score Trojans 14-19 Havant Mariners
Havant were still very strong in the outfield , Hewitt himself unselfishly left his name out of the starting line-up as Andrew Tart came in as Hooker , he lined up in the front row , with Darren Kingham-scott and Luke Davis , DKS only too happy to continue his love affair with the Hampshire cup and of course his very good friend Dom Francis .The second row saw Francis in his familiar pairing with Matt Godwin, Both big locks available for the game complete with “GOING OUT OUT “passes to carry on through the night in celebration should their team be successful. A rare occurrence for both men and following Big Dom’s performance in the Portsmouth drinking establishments after the match its not surprising . With timings not being his strong point ,Jon Barfoot shook off his rib injury and we think his watch to join Mick Bacon on the flanks and Matt Morgan stepped into the No8 for his first Vets cup match . An unfortunate warm up injury in his Labial area for Pete Living , meant a few last minute changes in the backs , Doug ”Muff” Elvy came in at scrum half so Matt Davis could push out to Stand off in place of the Dolphins Captain. Leighton Davies and Steve Stapleton were teamed together again and filled the midfield and Tom Merritt, Flower of Scotland Dean Duthie and Welshman Adam Terry started in the Back three .A strong bench of Andy Sowerby, Rob Davey , Jason Baldock , James Hewitt and a last minute call up for Andy woolhead were all in place as this year’s Finishers.
Trojans started the game with a slight wind advantage as they kicked the ball deep into the Havant half of the former Cattle field being used as the pitch . Morgan collected well at the first time of asking , both teams were prepared for the physical forwards game and that’s what followed for the first 15 minutes , Both teams battled for possession and both tackled and defended their lines well . The first break of the game fell to Havant as they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts 25 meters out, Merritt stepped up but could not find his range at the first attempt. Another midfield battle followed soon after and Trojan’s finally built up enough momentum to break then Havant defence and get the first try , the extras were added and Havant found themselves 7 points down with 20 minutes gone .
The Mariners were quick to respond as they attacked the Trojan half following the restart , The away team set up camp for the next five minutes and slowly drove the Southampton side back , another penalty was awarded and Havant struck quickly through Morgan who ran wide and pulled the home team out of position , Excellent support from Barfoot and Bacon secured the ruck and Elvy was quick to get the ball out to Davis , quick hands in the backs and a good run inside from Duthie broke the Trojan defence and the Scotsman fell over the line from 1 meter out , Merritt added the conversion and the scores were level. During the try attempt the score ended in Duthie suffering a nose bleed , so he was replaced by Rob Davey . Duthie retired to the dug out with his caring wife there to support him and with two tampon like swabs stuffed in his nose , Ironically they looked at home in that particular position but the Havant players could not quite put their fingers on where they had seen that sort of thing before. The final 5 minutes of the half provided Trojans with their best attacking phase of the match , but it was equally matched by the courageous tackling of the Havant defence, as the home team tried to push Havant into the right hand corner every man in a blue and white shirt stood up to be counted . The whistle blew to end the half but despite the onslaught it seemed to raise the Havant team as they walked in at Half time Trojans 7-7 Havant Mariners
It was now time for Havant to take the game to Trojans, another immense midfield battle followed , Elvy had moved to the wing , Davey slotted in at 13 as Matt Davis moved to nine and Stapleton took over the fly half role following the early departure of Duthie. The old bodies were starting to tire which led to a few simple unforced individual errors on both sides and the possession switched a few times , But it was Havant who were gaining the upper hand , Morgan was starting to dominate with some unbelievable runs and Havant were squeezing hard . A big Havant scrum saw Davis feed Stapleton who with a touch of genius beat his man to set Davies forward, great support from Barfoot created the overlap and Elvy was over to score , Merritt again struggled with the boot but Havant finally took the lead .
Following the re start Havant pressed again, the battle was fierce in the middle of the park , both teams thunderous in attack and defence , Duthie was now back on the field after treatment and James Hewitt was on for Tart. Havant broke free again and Hewitt nearly scored with his first touch but was tackled at the last minute. Bacon too came close a few minutes later , but the try was stopped for a previous knock on following a great charge down from Barfoot . The final nail in the trojan horse came with 18 minutes remaining , the Havant backs were instrumental again following some good forward foundation work and Merritt went over with a great finish in the righthand corner to take the game away and break the home teams hearts, the previously noisy home crowd went silent and the Havant faithful took over with the cheers. Merritt added the extras with the conversion to his own try and Havant opened up a clear gap
Trojans did not give up and the game continued in the same manner as it had for the first 62 minutes ,till the very end , and with two minutes to go the away side did get a consolation try but it was too little too late and as Havant saw out the last two minutes, the final whistle blew and Havant Mariners claimed their fourth Hampshire Cup in as many seasons.
The pitch side presentation commenced as Hewitt stepped up to lift the John Sneezham trophy and take it back to Hooks Lane once more , Bodies were battered and bruised but as the Mighty Havant Mariners sang if you want to win the cup then you had better hurry up it was very clear that the Havant boys are here.
As the beers flowed and the team sank them into the night ,a tired Dom Francis rested his eyes in the Kings Pub , there was talk of five. Five Cups they said , could it be done they said , One more year they promised , and one more Sambuca they drank .
Final score Trojans 14-19 Havant Mariners
Further reading