With the last quarter to play, a brave U19 side was staring at another valiant defeat: a lead of 5 points when the opposition is going to be kicking with the aid of a 4-5 goal breeze is indeed an unenviable situation. But these boys have faced worst and emerged with honour, if not victory. They had other ideas.

Playing smart, slow football, the Old Trinity side first stifled the run of the opposition, then created, and capitalised on opportunities of its own. Instead of merely defending a slender lead the U19s went on to outscore the opposition to take the points in what Coach Ray Leetham called “a great effort”.

Unders stand tall in great win on home soil

1^st Q

With players out from last week’s team the under nineteens hit the park with only three players on the bench. Kicking with a four goal breeze to the northern end the young “T boys” got off to a great start. Oldfield, Piccolo and Potter were controlling the centre clearances, giving forward line players lots of opportunities. Jack Hunt kicked the first, then followed with a second. Murphy was dangerous, as usual. Old Trinity peppered the goals during this term and inaccuracy saw seven points added to the scoreline.Hetherington snapped a great goal to move the goal score to three. Down back Fogarty, Young,Bradley and Ned Hunt were shutting down all avenues to goal and switching the play where Tinney, Bonnington and Birrell were moving the ball into the corridor. Jack Hunt kicked his third for term as the siren sounded.

At quarter time Old Trinity led 4-7 to 1-2.

2^nd Q

With a four goal breeze favouring Rupertswood the “T boys” knew it was going to be a tough quarter. The home side worked hard and Rupertswood gave it everything, having twelve scoring shots for the term, to the home side’s one point. Johnson worked hard and created options for the creative forwards including Chadwick, Sheahan and Spassopoulos. Team runner Vic Soligo was slow with the messages today due to playing a half in the curtain raiser Club 18 game. In a tough term Old Trinity stood firm. Players to put in included May, Bonnington, Ned Hunt, Oldfield and Piccolo. At halftime Old Trinity were down by 5 points.

3^rd Q

With the wind still swirling - this was going to be the term to set up the game. The ball spent a long time in neutral space and then Rupertswood scored three goals against the wind. In a remarkable turn around Old Trinity played ten minutes of creative, attacking football and piled on five goals through – Spassopoulos (2), Ned Hunt, Jack Hunt and Tinney. Luckin, Gidas and Brandon Jones were rotating effectively as Oldfield, Piccolo and Fogarty started to control the air and the crumbers and carriers in Bonnington, Chadwick, Sheahan and Potter did their job.

At ¾ time Old Trinity ked by 5 points.

4^th Q

The opposition thought it would be an easy run home with the breeze but Old Trinity had different ideas. The difference for most of the term was less than a goal. The opposition was not scoring and Old Trinity was slowing the game and using the ball effectively. Jack Hunt found space and used his natural skill to kick a great goal. The backline in Fogarty, Gidas, Birrell, Bradley and Ned Hunt were very solid. Young and Johnson came off with minor injuries, as did Potter. May had been consistent all day. Old Trinity stood firm and each player did what they had to do all over the ground. Oldfield juggled the ball and kicked a great goal as Old Trinity took control. Old Trinity went ahead by thirteen points and Jack Hunt goaled to make the difference nineteen points.

Old Trinity      4-7   4-8  9-9        12-12  84

Rupertswood   1-2    5-7  8-10        9-11 65

Goals – Jack Hunt 6, Spassopoulos 2, Ned Hunt 1, Tinney 1, Hetherington, Oldfield 1.

Best Players – Jack Hunt, Ned Hunt, Potter, Piccolo, Fogarty, Bonnington.

Coach’s comment – A really solid team effort on home soil. Every player was challenged and each one lifted when it counted. The game was there to be won and we did everything we needed to take the four points. A great effort. The Unders watched the seniors win and sang the theme song together in the rooms - a great day for the Old Trinity football club.

Helpers today- Mike Fogarty (team manager / time) Shane Murphy (Team manager / Interchange), David Cowley (goal), Will Ponsford (boundary), Tom Beasley (water).

Ray Leetham / Vic Soligo