Trinity 26pts – Durham University 11pts; 23rd January 2016

Trinity hosted Durham University one of the top ‘Super league’ UK Universities at College Park on Saturday. This was the second game between the two proud Universities in two seasons in what is hoped to be an annual game.

Both teams with big league games either side of the ‘friendly’ game were understrength, but this did not deter the physicality, work rate and effort the two teams put in.

Just like last year Durham came out and dominated territory and possession and went 8-0 up in as many minutes. Trinity then clawed their way back into the game with two tries from close in as their superior forwards gained the upper hand. Both teams ran the ball and made clean breaks, but both teams struggled to get consistent continuity.

Flanker Brian Du Toit crashed over for a try right on half time after some rare multiple phases and a great break by left wing Max McFarland to put his team 19-11 up at half time.

Early in the second half Trinity dominated territory and when on 50 minutes freshman centre Kyle Dixon ran in a well worked try, it looked like the home team would run away with the game. But a combination of plucky Durham play, multiple substitutions and some pedantic officiating stopped the game from really blossoming. It was a shame as both teams wanted to run the ball around but the stop start nature of the game killed seemed to kill the enthusiasm.

The ‘hit out’ for Trinity was very important as they have had three weeks between league games. Next week they host Dolphin in the All Ireland league.