Rugby vs Oakhill College
Trial against Oakhill College
This weekend saw the men in green and white head out to Castle Hill to take on Oakhill College. It was certainly a tough day, as we saw victory in only four of the 15 fixtures. However it must be noted there was an immense improvement across the board from the preceding year’s fixtures against Oakhill. This week we will be back at Summer Hill to take on St. Pius X College, with it also being a compulsory home fixture for our Year 8 cohort.
This weeks results were:
| 1st XV | 5-33 | 15B | 0-34 |
| 2nd XV | 7-33 | 14A | 10-21 |
| 3rd XV | 7-29 | 14B | 0-58 |
| 4th XV | 12-13 | 14C | 21-36 |
| 16A | 0-36 | 13A | 12-0 |
| 16B | 12-19 | 13B | 22-17 |
| 16C | 26-17 | 13C | 33-24 |
| 15A | 7-20 | ||
Team of the Week
Our Team of the Week from the weekend is:
1. William Cicinelli (10Ta) – 16B
2. George Sarandos (11St) – 3rd XV
3. Michael Metlege (9Ar) – 14C
4. Matthew Chen (8Hi) – 14A
5. Sam Niulala (11St) – 1st XV
6. Amosia Soatini (10Ho) – 16A
7. Bailey Martin (10We) – 16B
8. Joel Lim (7Yo) – 13C – Joel was also selected as the Player of the Day.
9. Makoto Chapman (7Du) – 13A
10. Logan Toohey (9Ke) – 15A
11. William Sheldrick (7We) – 13B
12. Hugo France (7We) – 14B
13. Nelson McEnally-Mino (12Ke) – 4th XV
14. Ryan Mock (10Du) – 16C
15. Rhys Williams (12St) – 3rd XV
Leading Point Scorers and Leading Try Scorers
Once again, this year we will be recording all of our point scorers and try scorers throughout the season to track each of our students’ achievements. After the first three trial fixtures, here are our leaders:
| Leading Try Scorers | Leading Point Scorers | |||
| 8 | Jozef Cluff (8Ar) | 42 | Jozef Cluff (8Ar) | |
| 5 |
Joel Lim (7Yo) Sam Niulala (11St) |
26 | Jayden Rodger (7Ta) | |
| 25 |
Joel Lim (7Yo) Sam Niulala (11St) |
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| 4 |
Jayden Rodger (7Ta) Alessio Caridi (7Sc) |
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| 20 | Alessio Caridi (7Sc) | |||
Mick Snowden | Director of Rugby
1st XV Match Report
The young men of the 1st XV made the trip out to Castle Hill looking to make amends for their disappointing loss to St. Patrick’s the preceding week. The sun had final decided to appear and the grounds at Oakhill were in perfect condition.
Unfortunately, the start to our fixture could not have been much worse. An error from the kick-off provided Oakhill with a set-piece opportunity and from the ensuing scrum some slick work from the Oakhill backline, accompanied by a sideline conversion, would see Trinity trailing 7-0 before our 2nd XV had even made it to the dressing sheds. Thankfully we sprung into action and some increased energy in defence saw an enthralling tussle begin to emerge. With five minutes remaining on the clock Oakhill snuck over for their second try and went into half-time down 12-0.
The second half saw a far better start for Trinity, smart kicking from captain Orly Hatton-Ward (11Sc) saw us set up camp in the Oakhill half and Oliver Askew (11We) and Sam Niulala (11St) started to cause some serious headaches for the Oakhill defence. Eventually it was Lucas Young (11We) who breached the Oakhill line, pilfering the ball and running 25 metres to score after leaving quite a large handprint on the chest of the covering Oakhill defender. Trinity continued to dominate possession and territory and at 12-5 it seemed that the men in green and white were beginning to take control of the game.
Unfortunately, two intercepts in the space of six minutes would see Oakhill kick away to a 26-5 lead, before they added another just before the fulltime whistle. If ever there was a score line that did not reflect the closeness of the game, it was this one; Trinity going down 33-5.
As we head back to Summer Hill for this weekend’s fixture against St. Pius X, the young men of the 1st XV are excited to play in front of the Year 8 cohort who will be attending their compulsory fixture. It would also be remiss of me not to mention the way such a young side has risen to the challenges of their first year in the school’s premier sporting side. Seven of our starting fifteen players will only turn 16 this year; whilst it is no excuse for any losses, it is worth noting the impressive way they have risen to the challenge of 1st XV rugby.
Final Score: Trinity 5 defeated by Oakhill College 33.
Tries: Lucas Young (1).
Mr. Snowden and Mr. Pay (1st XV Coaches)
2nd XV Match Report
Saturday’s away game against Oakhill was a “Tale of Two Halves” for the Trinity Seconds. Good defensive pressure from the visitors saw them gain control of the match early on and with Scrumhalf Hunter Goldsbrough (12Fo) and Flyhalf Harry Groth (11Ke) directing traffic, it wasn’t long before Centre Jude Robinson (12St) cut through the Oakhill line to give the men in green an early lead. Trinity’s lineout also caused plenty of problems for the home side, and credit must be given to Hooker George Sarandos (11 St) and backrowers Jake Varone (12He) and Bede Dunn (11St) for their well-executed set piece play. With Trinity unlucky not to go into the break with a halftime lead, both sides ended the half tied at 7-7. Unfortunately, the visitors were not able to carry that momentum into the second half and despite efforts from Locks Liam Cavanagh (11Ar) and Jacob Johnstone (11Sc), as well as Winger Hugh Browning (12Du) in both attack and defence, the game ended with a score line that perhaps did not reflect how close the contest was for much of the match.
Final Score: Trinity 7 defeated by Oakhill College 31.
Tries: Jude Robinson (1)
Conversions: Hugo Reed (1)
Mr. M Kearsley and Mr. M Di Paola
15A Match Report
Oakhill College started the first half strong with three tries. Stagnant defence along with a litany of unforced errors from Trinity enabled Oakhill to control the first half and head to the break leading 15-0. Following the half time break, Trinity rallied and came out with great vigour and intensity in the second half. Our young men were more unified and reactive in defence which frustrated Oakhill. Desperate defence and try savers especially from captain Logan Toohey (9Ke) kept Oakhill at bay. Good initiative by Ben Keogh (9Ta) to steal the ball on Oakhill try line led to a try which was converted by Patty Thomson (9Sc). Towards the end, due to fatigue, Oakhill was able to score in the final minutes where the game ended. Score Trinity 7 and Oakhill 20. The boys held their heads high and were able to control the second half of the match winning the second stanza 7-5. With an important fixture this weekend against St. Pius X College, the young men of the 15As will be looking to build as we prepare for the CAS season.
Final Score: Trinity 7 defeated by Oakhill College 20.
Tries: Ben Keogh (1)
Conversions: Patrick Thomson (3)
Mr. Huynh (15A Coach)
