Rugby vs Barker College

CAS Round 1 v Barker College

At long last we enjoyed an entire week without the heavens opening, and as a result we were able to have all fifteen of our sides take part in the first round of the CAS fixtures against Barker College. Across our Saturday we had four victories, ten losses and one draw. Our 3^rd XV and 16B sides returned to the winner’s circle, while the 15B and 14B teams secured back to back victories. This weekend will see Trinity parents being able to put their feet up and enjoy the comforts that come with the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Fun fact – we celebrate the Queen’s birthday this weekend and not in late April because a decision was made in 1936,  following the death of King George V, to keep the celebration on the same weekend in order to space out public holidays.

This week’s results were:

Team of the Week

Our Team of the Week v Barker is:

• Finn Byrne (7Mu) – 13A
• Luqman Radwan (10Fo) – 16C
• Jensen Otto (10Fo) – 16B
• Zac Tashtan (8Ke) – 14A
• Will Jenkins (8Hi) – 14B
• Angus Cochrane (7Wh) – 13C
• Luke Niulala (9St) – 15A
• Jaiden Timperi (12Hi) – 2^nd XV
• Chinmay Gaikaiwari (12Fo) – 4^th XV
• Thomas Fairlie (8Du) – 14C – Thomas was also selected as the Player of the Day.
• Sesen Hanna (9Hi) – 15B
• Ashton Frazer (10Mu) – 1^st XV
• Charles Williams (10La) – 16A
• William Sheldrick (8We) – 13B
• Liam Clayton (12Fo) – 3^rd XV

Leading Point Scorers & Leading Try Scorers

It seems we have a new challenger rocketing up both leader boards, with Joel Lim’s (7Yo) two try effort reducing the try scoring lead of Jozef Cluff (8Ar) to four. Orly Hatton-Ward (11Sc) is still hanging on to 2^nd spot on the point scorers list, but he has Joel, Alessio Caridi (7Sc) and Logan Toohey (9Ke) hot on his heels.

Representative Selections:

As the season continues, we will have several students gaining selection in representative teams both within the school’s pathway and through the club system. As our young men progress through these pathways we will endeavour to highlight their achievements. This week, 11 of our Under 16 eligible players were selected to trial for the CAS Under 16s side; Malik Amine (11Yo), Oliver Askew (11We), Mitchell Chen (11Ar), Daniel Christodoulou (11Mu), Ashton Frazer (10Mu), Brandon Ghannoum (10Fo), Noah Herden (10He), Max Meagher (10Hi), Dane Mitchell (11La), Sam Niulala (11St) and Amosia Soatini (10Fo). The final team will be officially announced on 19 June.

Mick Snowden | Director of Rugby

1^st XV Match Report

The first round of the CAS competition began with Trinity hosting a formidable Barker outfit in front of a large cohort of Years 7, 9 and 10 students attending their compulsory fixture. In order to secure victory, the young men in green and white would need to throw themselves into everything and take advantage of any opportunities afforded to them.

From the first whistle it was clear that our young men were up for the fight, with Riley Martin (12We), Ashton Frazer (10Mu) and Sam Niulala (11St) throwing their bodies into the much larger opposition with little regard for personal safety. The intensity in defence repelled multiple Barker attacks, and some smart kicking from Orly Hatton-Ward (11Sc) and Malik Amine (11Yo) ensured that Barker would have to work from deep in their half.

Eventually the larger Barker ball carriers started to bend the Trinity line and after a sustained period of attack they would cross for the first points of the game, the sideline conversion saw Barker lead 7-0. The following 15 minutes saw Barker take control of the game with strong carries, crisp passing and a dominant rolling maul extending the half time lead to 22-0.

The start of the second half mirrored the end of the second, as Barker crossed for two quick tries to extend their lead to 32-0. At this point it would have been easy for Trinity to lay down and let Barker run away with the game, but thankfully our young men took the opportunity to show their immense character. From the ensuing kick-off Sam Niulala scored a fantastic individual try, taking the kick-off, beating several Barker defenders, and racing 35m to score in the corner. A fantastic sideline conversion from Orly Hatton-Ward closed the Barker lead to 32-7.

The final 15 minutes of the game saw some entertaining rugby as both teams moved the ball around and entertained the parochial Trinity crowd. Another Barker try was cancelled out by a well deserved try to eventual Man of the Match Lucas Young (11Yo), with the final siren seeing Barker run out victors 37-12.

The coaching staff were extremely proud of the fighting spirit displayed by the 1^st XV. The 22-0 half time deficit and 32-0 disadvantage five minutes into the second half would have seen some teams surrender and let the game get out of hand. However, our boys fought until the final whistle, which saw the second-half finish 15-12. This week our young men have enjoyed a break as the long weekend bye approaches, with our attention turning to St. Aloysius’ College on 18 June.

Final Score: Trinity 12 defeated by Barker 37.

Tries: Sam Niulala (1) and Lucas Young (1).

Conversions: Orly Hatton-Ward (1).

Mr. Snowden and Mr. Pay | 1^st XV Coaches

2^nd XV Match Report

Round 1 of the CAS Season began with the Trinity 2^nd XV hosting Barker College. With both teams trying to assert their dominance on the game, the opening stages of the match were filled with constant stoppages and set pieces. On that basis, credit must be given to the Trinity forwards, who held their own in the scrums against a much larger opposition pack. However, Barker were able to capitalise on their possession and race to a 14-0 lead midway through the first half. Nevertheless, Trinity continued to put pressure in the closing minutes and were rewarded with a try of their own when Jaiden Timperi (12Hi) broke through the Barker line to see the home side trail by seven points at the break.

Buoyed by their positive first-half finish, the men in green started the second half in strong fashion. Defensive pressure caused turnovers and suddenly, the match began to swing in Trinity’s favour. Hunter Goldsbrough (12Fo) continued to work tirelessly at scrumhalf to provide quick service to the backline and when Jude Robinson (12St) put Hugh Browning (12Du) into space, the winger scored in the corner to reduce the deficit to 14-12. Following the restart, Trinity was awarded a penalty not long after, and Hugo Reed (11Ho) calmly stepped up to slot through the place kick and give the home-side a 15-14 lead with 10 minutes to go. However, Barker were not going to let their grasp on the game slip that easily and hit straight back to take the lead (21-15) once again.

Sadly, despite a last-gasp effort from the home team, it was not meant to be on the day and the men in green unfortunately had to settle for a 21-15 loss in what was an entertaining game of Rugby.

Final Score: Trinity 15 defeated by Barker 21.

Tries: Hugh Browning (1) & Jaiden Timperi (1).

Conversions: Hugo Reed (1).

Penalties: Hugo Reed (1).

Mr. M Kearsley and Mr. M Di Paola | 2^nd XV Coaches

16B Match Report

The 16B’s were excited to begin the CAS season and started the game strongly with George Louizos (10Ke) and Marcus Ticic (10Sc) breaking tackles with every carry. Despite the early dominance Trinity struggled to open to scoring due to some strong Barker defence. Jensen Otto (10He) managed to break the deadlock just before half-time with a burrowing run close to the ruck. Dawson Williams (10Wj) then added the extras from near the touchline to give Trinity a slim but deserved 7-0 lead.

In the 2nd half Trinity showed more willingness to spread the ball allowing Adriano Lemme (10Fo) and Ethan Albrighton (10Sc) to challenge Barker’s wide defenders. Fullback Ryan Mock (10Du) also benefitted, slicing through the Barker defence to cross for Trinity’s 2nd try. Barker mounted a late comeback, but halves, Oliver Pearson (10Sc) and Anton Dimento (10Wj) managed the game well allowing Trinity to finish the game 12-7 victors.

Final Score: Trinity 12 defeated Barker 7.

Tries: Jensen Otto (1) & Ryan Mock (1).

Conversions: Dawson Williams (1).

Mr. McKee | 16B Coach

15B Match Report

It was a glorious winter’s day on Saturday at Barker College for Round 1 of the CAS Rugby competition. The 15B’s brough their enthusiasm from the previous week’s win to the field in an entertaining fixture against the home side. A try to Sesen Hanna (9Hi) saw Trinity on the scoreboard early. Barker were quick to respond and in a real arm wrestle, the home side went in ahead 12-7 at the half-time break.

In true Trinity spirit, the 15Bs knew they had to bring some more grit to the second half to overcome the opposition. Some great teamwork and individual efforts from Austin Wang and Kristian Stamoulos as well as another double from Sesen Hanna saw the green and white add some more points to the scoreboard. Solid conversions from Jack Thompson (9St) added the crucial extras to get the boys a good lead. Ultimately, the defence at the back end of the game, including big hits from Ahmed Ammoura (9We), Noah Ming (9Yo) and Henry Daniel (9St) ensured Trinity got over the line to win 31-26.

Final Score: Trinity 31 defeated Barker 26.

Tries: Sesen Hanna (3), Austin Wang (1) & Kristian Stamoulos (1).

Conversions: Jack Thompson (3).

Ms. Flokis | 15B Coach