Trojans hold on to their UK Trophy

TROJANS survived a first half penalty scare to retain the UK Trophy with a comfortable 3-0 win over Banbury in the wind and rain at East Grinstead, writes Mike Vimpany.

In complete contrast to last season, when they wiped out a 3-1 deficit to beat Slough 4-3, Trojans cruised to a straight-forward victory.

They experienced an anxious moment when Banbury - newly promoted into South Premier League Division 2 alongside Trojans next season - wasted a 20th minute penalty flick.

But once Wayne Shepherd put Trojans in front from a flick six minutes later, the cup was always destined to spend another 12 months in the Stoneham trophy cabinet.

Colin French added a second six minutes after half-time and Paul Hilton tied things up on the hour.

Trojans' performance didn't hit the heights, but on a pretty foul afternoon weatherwise, it didn't need to.

The aquatic underfoot conditions at East Grinstead's magnificent complex were never conducive to fast, free flowing hockey.

"We asked the EHA officials to saturate both shooting circles before the start of play, but we ended up having the entire surface jet hosed," explained Trojans captain Craig Sommerville.

"Just as we were about to start, it began pouring with rain and East Grinstead's superb pitch switched from being water-based to waterlogged!"