Disadvantaged again by a reduced bench, Old Trinity went extremely close to taking the points against top-four side St Bede’s/Mentone. Coach Ray Leetham commented ruefully that it was a great game “that certainly was ours for the taking. Considering we had two interchange this was a great effort.”

He also rued some missed chances and indirect football in the last quarter which resulted in goals for the visitors instead of for Old Trinity.

1^st Q

Old Trinity started beautifully with the midfield winning countless possessions and setting up golden scoring opportunities for the quick and elusive forwards. Murphy created some magic and kicked the first major. He repeated the performance to have the flags waving again. Chadwick was very clever inside the arc. Tinney, Spassopoulos and Guthrie provided run and when Piccolo ran into the arc and goaled the small crowd went ballistic. Down back Bradley, Fogarty and Ponsford were solid in defence and moved the ball out of the back half with skill and accuracy. Oldfield was running hot and being assisted by Jack and Ned Hunt and the attacking Sheahan. Potter, Birrell and Young gave nothing away in the back half as Ned Hunt kicked accurately to move Old Trinity’s goal score to five for the term.

At quarter rime Old Trinity led 5- 4, to 0-2.

2^nd Q

With only two interchange players Old Trinity was giving everyone plenty of game time and Young, Birrell and Potter were enjoying the run. The second term saw St Bede's ran everywhere and they challenged the home side. Johnson, the Hunt boys and Piccolo were running hard but the O’T’ young guns could only muster two points for the term, to St Bede’s 5-5. Tinney was working hard in the midfield and giving support to Oldfield, Spassopoulos, Piccolo and the Hunt boys.

At halftime St Bede’s led by a point!

3^rd Q

The third term saw both sides play attacking football. Old Trinity had more of the ball but lost the quarter by 4 points. Great goals by Johnson and Piccolo lifted the side and when Ned Hunt kicked accurately after taking a bone crunching mark the home side was right in the contest. Sheahan was rotating and giving some players a break. The backline were “shaken but not stirred,” as James Bond would say. Birrell, Young and the running Potter were calm in a tense struggle across halfback. Ponsford and Young gave it everything.

At ¾ time St Bede’s led by 5 points.

4^th Q

The last chapter of this story is an interesting one .Old Trinity played creative footy to set up great team goals through Tinney, Jack Hunt and Oldfield. Cowley went back to play a sweeping role. The game was very even as Old Trinity edged closer. Guthrie, who had been classy on his wing, crashed to the turf with a knee injury and came off. He went to hospital for a scan. He will be out for at least four weeks .Bonnington and May had made a contribution and made a contest difficult for the boys from Mentone.

Old Trinity had chances but went sideways instead of going direct and turnovers became goals for St Bede’s. In the end it was eleven points. A great effort with two interchange against a strong side with six on the bench.

St. Bede’s Mentone       0-2        5-7        9-8        13-9      87

Old Trinity                     5-4        5-6        8-9        11-10    76

Goals – Murphy 3, Piccolo 2, Ned Hunt 2, Jack Hunt 1,  Tinney 1, Johnson 1, Oldfield 1.

Best – Oldfield, Piccolo, Ned Hunt, Jack Hunt, Tinney, Potter.

Helpers today- Thanks to –Mike Fogarty (Team manager / Time), Mr.Guthrie (Interchange) Shane Murphy (Goal), James Hetherington (Water).

Coach’s comment - A great game that certainly was ours for the taking. We could find eleven points in the game through skill errors or turnovers that could have changed the result. Considering we had two interchange this was a great effort.

Ray Leetham / Vic Soligo