By the 'Roving' Reporter, Brad Perry.
Round 15
SO CLOSE BUT SO FAR FOR TRINITY
Trinity Old Scholars matched it with third placed Hope Valley for three quarters before they skipped away to a 38 point win.
Cooper kicked the opening goal of the match and from their Trinity controlled the play up until quarter time. Mathews had plenty of the football in the first term and when Hall snapped a superb goal, Trinity was 13 points ahead.
In the second term, the flow of play dried up and Hope Valley began peppering the goals. Fatchen and Forwood kept the old scholars in the game with Henderson holding strong in defence. At half time the scores were all tied up and it looked as if it would be a close contest.
Rosie and Webster combined well in the third term as Trinity controlled much of the possession but failed to capatilise on the scoreboard. Gregory took a strong mark and goaled late in the third quarter and there was only seven points the difference going into the final break.
With costly injuries, Trinity ran out of legs in the last quarter despite some great run from B. Guerin. The home side kicked away late in the game to blow the finals score out further than it should have been. Mathews ended the match with 42 possessions and Fatchen also worked hard for 34 possessions.
TOSFC 8.7 (55) lost to HOPE VALLEY 12.21 (93)
Best Players: Mathews, Fatchen, Rosie, B. Guerin, Webster, Siciliano
Goal Kickers: Cooper 2, Hall 2, Gregory 1, Zorich 1, Little 1, B. Guerin 1
Round 14
TRINITY OUT OF FINALS CONTENTION
A shock loss at home to bottom placed Glenunga has seen Trinity Old Scholars bow out of any finals hopes.
From the start Glenunga looked hungry for the footy and Trinity played catch up for most of the game. After coming up from the reserves, Rosie played his best quarter for the year gathering ten possessions and Mathews kicked three important goals to keep the scores even at the first break.
Glenunga started the second quarter superbly taking a three goal lead early. However Trinity surged back into the game kicking four goals in a row courtesy of two goals from Mcgregor. Zorich also asserted his presence by gathering the football over the ground to give Trinity a fourteen point lead at half time.
While the home side struggled to get their hands on the footy in the third quarter, they were able to outscore the opposition and carry a fifteen point lead going into the final term. Henderson was valiant in the third quarter and Mathews continued to take some important marks.
The lead widened with another early goal from Trinity in the last quarter and it looked to be a sure win. Glenunga had not given up and kicked five unanswered goals in a row to snatch a ten point victory. Fatchen and Forwood kept working until the final siren but it was all to a lost cause.
TOSFC 15.9 (99) lost to GLENUNGA 16.13 (109)
Best Players: Mathews, Zorich, Henderson, Rosie, Fatchen, Forwood
RESERVES
Goal Kickers: Mathews 3, Forwood 2, Mcgregor 2, Spurr 2, Zorich 1, Fatchen 1, Webster 1, Cooper 1
A second half onslaught strengthened the chance of the reserves playing finals football this year.
While Trinity struggled to shake Glenunga in the first half, the second half was a different story with Trinity running out 41 point winners.
Skelton was sensational in the ruck and was helped by Little on the ball. Captain Barton continued his fine form and the two forwards, Gregory and Warner, were again superb.
The win gives the reserves a handy buffer in the top five and it may see a finals berth for the first time ever.
TOSFC 12.10 (82) defeated GLENUNGA 6.5 (41)
Best Players: Skelton, Little, Barton, Gregory, Warner, Koek
Goal Kickers: Arnold 4, B. Perry 3, Gregory 3, Warner 2
Round 13
TRINITY KEEPS IN TOUCH
In a scrappy contest, Trinity Old Scholars kept themselves in the finals race after a narrow four point win over Brahma Lodge.
Kicking with a strong breeze in the first term, Trinity took control early kicking three goals with two coming from roving forward Cooper. Brahma Lodge only managed four behinds in the opening term and the result looked predictable even from quarter time.
B. Guerin was quick on his feet in the backlines and he linked up well with Peters to push the ball forward. Trinity struggled in the second term against the swirling breeze and could only add a single behind as their run dried up. Brahma Lodge would have taken a bigger lead into half time if Webster hadn’t dropped back in defence to take some crucial marks.
The third quarter continued where the first left off as Trinity had to fight hard to get the football and appeared flat at different stages. M. Perry picked up eight possessions in the third quarter as he ran all over the wing and was supported by Martin who showed some much needed ferocity at the football.
Trailing by a point going into the last quarter, Hooker asked the players to step up and they responded. Henderson was superb in the last quarter and Mcgregor added an important goal. Spurr kicked a ripper against the breeze and the flow of play which gave Trinity the lead they would hold on to.
TOSFC 6.9 (45) defeated BRAHMA LODGE 4.17 (41)
Best Players: Webster, Martin, B. Guerin, M. Perry, Peters, Henderson
Goal Kickers: Mcgregor 2, Spurr 2, Cooper 2
RESERVES
The reserves performed a demolition job on Brahma Lodge after a nine goal opening quarter. The final margin of 133 points gave Trinity a much need win. Warner and Gregory both kicked bags of goals as B. Perry, Rosie and Sumpton all had vast amounts of football out of the middle.
TOSFC 21.18 (144) defeated BRAHMA LODGE 1.5 (11)
Best Players: Rosie, B. Perry, Sumpton, Warner, Barton, Skeen
Goal Kickers: Warner 6, Gregory 5, Sumpton 2, Arnold 2, Skeen 2, B. Perry 2, Cook 1, Seekamp 1
Round 12
TRINITY SUFFERS WORST EVER LOSS
A clinical Westminster taught Trinity Old Scholars a football lesson as they inflicted Trinity’s worst ever loss to the tune of 110 points.
From the start Trinity were second to the football and struggled to attack with M. Perry kicking their only goal in the first term. Things only got worse from there as Westminster were precise with their skills and Trinity was facing a ten goal deficit at half time. While Fatchen continued his stand out season form, Westminster were simply too good.
In the third quarter, Zorich began to make his presence felt but it was further up the ground than Trinity would have liked. Henderson and Hall also found some run at times but the team failed to convert on the scoreboard. Inaccuracy was also another factor as Trinity only managed six goals from their 17 scoring shots with one of those coming from full back, Teusner. Westminster finished off the last quarter to impose a massive win and Trinity finds itself hovering above the bottom two teams on the ladder.
TOSFC 6.11 (47) lost to WESTMINSTER 25.12 (162)
Best Players: Fatchen, Zorich, Henderson, Hall
Goal Kickers: Cooper 1, Fatchen 1, A. Forwood 1, Hall 1, M. Perry 1, Teusner 1
RESERVES
Despite a second half fadeout, the reserves showed in patches that they can match it with the best teams in the league. Trinity had plenty of the football early, running hard and tackling strong but failed to convert easy opportunities on the scoreboard.
Cockerill and Sumpton made their presence felt early and by half time Trinity was less than a goal down. B. Perry had first hand on the football in the middle and Arnold was providing some much needed run along the wing. However the second half was a completely different story as Trinity only managed one goal to Westminster’s seven. Barton played a great game in the back lines and repelled many of the Westminster attacks. The final margin of 42 points didn’t reflect how close the game really was.
TOSFC 6.11 (47) lost to WESTMINSTER 13.11 (89)
Best Players: B. Perry, Barton, Arnold, Sumpton, Dimasi, Seekamp
Goal Kickers: Arnold 2, Cockerill 2, Miller 1
Round 9 - 11 writeups coming soon
Round 8
ONE QUARTER COSTS TRINITY
After the worst start to a game in the clubs history, Trinity fought back to outscore first placed Colonel Light Gardens for the final three quarters.
It was a slow start as Colonel Light kicked five unanswered goals before Macphail dodged around four defenders to kick Trinity’s first goal. Some woeful decision making helped Colonel Light to continue their dominance in the first term to kick 13 goals for the quarter. Fatchen and Henderson both had plenty of the football in the middle of the ground but Trinity’s defence was under siege.
The 58 point quarter time deficit quickly eroded as Trinity hit the ball hard in the second term. Warner led the way as Trinity kicked the first two goals and with B. Guerin running freely all over the ground, Trinity was within seven goals at half time. Spurr kicked three goals for the quarter and looked as if he was going to have another good day out.
Back in the game in the third quarter, Trinity wasted a number of opportunities kicking an inaccurate 4.8 for the quarter. McGregor began to take advantage of the centre clearances and added two goals. Hall found a number of possessions as the lead was cut to 40 points at three quarter time.
Trinity again matched Colonel Light in the last quarter, cutting the margin to 28 points at one stage. Trinity won the centre clearances for the game and had the ball inside their forward line more than Colonel Light but they failed to capitalize on the scoreboard.
Spurr was best on ground with his six goal haul and was well supported by a hard working Henderson who finished with 27 possessions.
TOSFC 15.15 (105) lost to Colonel Light Gardens 23.7 (145)
Best Players: Spurr, Henderson, Warner, A. Forwood, McGregor, Hall
Goal Kickers: Spurr 6, McGregor, Zorich, Hall 2, A. Siciliano, B. Guerin, MacPhail 1
RESERVES
The reserves rallied for a late comeback to draw an important game against Colonel Light.
Goal to goal for the first half, Trinity ran out of legs in the third term and allowed Colonel Light to kick away to a 15 point lead. In warm conditions it appeared as if Trinity had nothing left yet they fought hard in the packs to level the scores.
B. Perry cleared the ball out of the middle and added three goals while V. Siciliano showed superb aggression towards the football. In defence, Little kept his opponent to nothing while Skelton in the ruck gave the on-ballers first hands on the football. In his return to the reserves side, Dimasi also played a great game as he floated all over the ground.
While both sides had opportunities late in the match, the scores stayed locked together and it keeps Trinity in the top four.
TOSFC 7.9 (51) drew with Colonel Light 7.9 (51)
Best Players: B. Perry, V. Siciliano, Little, Dimasi, Skelton, Fantasia
Goal Kickers: B. Perry 3, Fantasia, Barton, Sumpton, Barker 1
Round 7
CRITICAL WIN FOR TRINITY
Led by a dominant Spurr, Trinity Old Scholars kicked away to beat an undisciplined West Croydon by 81 points.
It was a slow start for Trinity with West Croydon kicking the first two goals but with Zorich presenting up forward Trinity kept goal to goal for the first term. Martin and Hall converted from their opportunities to take a seven point lead at quarter time.
The second quarter began where the first left off as Trinity kicked six goals for the quarter to take a steady lead. Fatchen was superb out of the middle of the ground and Henderson had plenty of it from the wing. Spurr had a dominant second quarter kicking four goals and taking some strong marks.
Siciliano kicked a goal early in the third term to give Trinity a handy lead with Hall collecting possessions all over the ground. M. Perry began to be a good target up forward converting three majors for the game and setting up a few others.
With a 42 point lead at three quarter time, Trinity kicked away with their highest scoring quarter for the year with a nine goal last quarter. Spurr finished off the match well with three goals in the last term and was well supported by B. Guerin.
Spurr had a stunning game with 18 possessions and seven goals while Fatchen had 33 disposals and two goals. The vital win keeps Trinity in touch with the top four for its game this week against Colonel Light Gardens.
Best Players: Spurr, Fatchen, Hall, Henderson, Zorich, Siciliano
Goal Kickers: Spurr 7, Hall, Siciliano, M. Perry 3, Fatchen, Henderson 2, Cooper, Martin, Zorich, Peters 1
RESERVES
An inaccurate reserves had a vital win against West Croydon to the tune of 121 points against bottom placed West Croydon.
The side kicked away early with a six goal opening term with Sumpton having a number of possessions on the wing. Fantasia came into the game in the second term and finished with an impressive six goals.
B. Perry played a dominant game out of the middle and also finished with six goals.
Up forward Cockerill was a strong target taking a number of marks and Iacopi had a good game in his first game back. With the injury list mounting for the club, the reserves have shown some strong depth which has seen their best ever start to a season.
The win keeps Trinity in the top four with a very important clash against Colonel Light Gardens this week.
Best Players: B. Perry, Sumpton, Cockerill, Fantasia, Iacopi, Little
Goal Kickers: B. Perry, Fantasia 6, Cave, Le, Skelton, Sumpton, Cockerill, Skeen, Little 1
Round 6
TRINTY FALLS VALIANTLY SHORT
Leading at three quarter time, Trinity Old Scholars put up a determined effort but couldn’t hold off third placed Hope Valley, losing by 25 points.
Trinity came out strong in the first quarter kicking the first two goals thanks to a superb goal from M. Perry. After a late rally, Hope Valley kicked two late goals to even the score at quarter time. Henderson was having an impact off the half back line with some important possessions.
Without a bench, Trinity pushed on in the second quarter with Teusner leading the way in defence. He gelled well with Kennedy as the two helped Trinity keep goal for goal with Hope Valley and the scores were even at half time.
Trinity put in a gutsy effort in the third quarter as Martin and A. Forwood hit the football ferociously. Webster continued to work hard winning many hit outs and gathering 14 possessions for the match. With Perry and Spurr proving to be focal points up forward, Trinity took a handy five point lead at the final break.
Despite a spirited effort, Trinity ran out of legs in the final term despite leading by 11 points at one stage. Henderson finished with a strong 20 possessions and was supported off the half back line by Hall who had 28 possessions. Up forward Perry finished with a good contribution of four goals.
TOSFC 14.10 (94) lost to HOPE VALLEY 17.17 (119)
Best Players: Teusner, Henderson, Martin, A. Forwood, Kennedy, Webster
Goal Kickers: M. Perry 4, Cooper, Stork, Arnold 2, Hall, Siciliano, Martin, Spurr 1
Round 4
TRINITY HOLDS ON FOR VICTORY
Despite a second half fade out, Trinity Old Scholars were able to record their second win of the year against Brahma Lodge.
In the must win game, it was a tight first term with Fatchen kicking an early goal. Goal to goal at the first break, Trinity regrouped and began to dominate in the middle of the ground. Battersby and Mathews were particularly good at stoppages and Webster rucked superbly to give them first use of the football.
On the back of a six goal second quarter, Trinity skipped away to a 38 point lead at half time. Spurr was making his mark up forward with two dazzling goals. When Warner kicked a long set shot just before half time, Trinity looked to be running away with the match.
The second half of the match was a completely different story as the Trinity forward line was starved for opportunity. As the game became a scrap, Henderson and Teusner stood valiantly in defense. Along with some courageous marks from Peters, the backlines repelled every attack making sure that Trinity still held a 31 point lead at three quarter time. Webster showed sensational aggression towards the football in the final term as Brahma Lodge came storming back into the game. While Trinity failed to score a goal in the final term, it was a well earned 14 point lead.
TOSFC 13.11 (89) defeated BRAHMA LODGE 11.9 (75)
Best Players: Webster, Teusner, Fatchen, Henderson, Battersby, Spurr, Mathews
Goal Kickers: Fatchen 4, Spurr 3, Henderson 2, Warner 1, Rosie 1, Siciliano, A. Forwood 1
RESERVES
The reserves continued on their merry way to record a thumping 158 point victory over Brahma Lodge.
From the very first bounce Trinity dominated around the ground and skipped away to a match winning quarter time lead. M. Perry kicked five brilliant first quarter goals in his best ever match for the club where he finished with 11 goals. Arnold was also superb for the second week in a row and found plenty of space to finish with a six goal haul. While Perry dominated on the scoreboard, Hermann worked hard on the ball to give the forwards plenty of opportunity.
Miller and Dimasi both finished with two goals a piece and both had some important possessions. The reserves will look to cement themselves in the top four after their best ever start to a season.
TOSFC 25.22 (172) defeated BRAHMA LODGE 2.2 (14)
Best Players: M. Perry, Arnold, Hermann
Goal Kickers: M. Perry 11, Arnold 6, Miller 2, Dimasi 2, Cook 1, Siciliano 1, Barton 1
Round 3
TRINITY OUTCLASSED IN ANZAC DAY CLASH
A slow start from Trinity proved to be the difference against Westminster in the Anzac Day clash.
After a spirited pre-match, an injury ridden Trinity was focused on the task at hand but struggled to take it onto the field as Westminster skipped away to an early five goal lead. Westminster dominated the clearances despite the presence of Mathews who stood strong in tackles.
While Spurr began to have an impact on the match, Trinity failed to find the spark and could only convert two goals by half time. Coach Keith Hooker asked for a more determined effort and Trinity stepped up the physical pressure in the third quarter. Webster worked hard around the ground to offer support to his on-ballers and R. Guerin played an important role in the backlines.
Despite some good tackling efforts from Peters and Kennedy, Westminster kicked away to a match winning lead. Trinity put up a gritty fight in the last quarter to outscore Westminster with Siciliano bagging two goals. Zorich also finished with two goals and a there were some impressive signs from Arnold and debutant M. Perry.
TOSFC 9.5 (59) lost to WESTMINSTER OS 17.13 (115)
Best Players: Mathews, Spurr, Webster, Kennedy, R. Guerin, Fatchen
Goal kickers: Siciliano 2, Zorich 2, Spurr 2, M. Perry 1, B. Perry 1, Peters 1
RESERVES
After a perfect start to the season, the reserves failed to find a key forward, going down to Westminster by 53 points.
Westminster kicked the first seven goals of the match as Trinity failed to capitalize on opportunities. Missing some key players up forward, Matt Hall showed some strong leads and kicked a brilliant snap goal. From there Trinity surged back into the match and late in the third quarter were only three goals behind. Fantasia found a lot of the football with Cave in the middle of the ground. Dimasi played another superb game with some strong marking and Hermann was solid in defence.
TOSFC 4.9 (33) lost to WESTMINSTER OS 13.8 (86)
Best Players: Dimasi, Hermann, Fantasia
Goal Kickers: Barton, M. Hall, Miller, Skeen
Round 2
TRINITY RECORDS EMPHATIC WIN
Trinity Old Scholars put on a dominant display against Houghton to record their first win in Division 6.
After a first round defeat, Trinity was determined to make their mark in the division and jumped to an early 4 goal lead at quarter time. Much of the work was done in the centre of the ground by Mathews and Battersby.
The flow of goals dried up in the second term as each team exerted more physical pressure. Despite losing some key players to injury, Trinity stood firm with the defense providing some inspirational run. Hall played a major part in resisting every attack, as Trinity extended their lead to 9 goals at half time.
Henderson found a vast amount of the football in the third quarter and Stork displayed some dominance up forward finishing with 4 goals. With a match winning lead in the last quarter, Trinity ran away with a comprehensive 95 point win.
Mathews and Guerin controlled the backline to restrict Houghton to a measly 5 goals for the match. Up forward Perry was quick on his feet to kick 5 goals and was well supported by strong marking from Spurr with 3 goals.
TOSFC 19.15 (129) defeated Houghton 5.6 (36)
Best Players: Henderson, Hall, Mathews, Battersby, Webster
Major Goal Kickers: Perry 5, Stork 4, Spur 3, Zorich 2, Rosie 2
RESERVES
A second win in as many matches has given the Trinity reserves their best ever start to a season.
Trinity produced some superb run and team play to beat Houghton by 74 points. After taking an early lead, Trinity attacked the ball in numbers with Arnold using his pace superbly. M. Perry was dangerous up forward kicking 4 first half goals and finishing with 6.
In the middle of the ground Kennedy and Koek both had a number of possessions and Langley took many marks up forward. Skelton was again solid in the ruck giving the on-ballers first hands on the football.
Captain Barton played his first game for the year and contributed a handy 2 goals. Arnold finished off a best on ground performance with 4 goals.
TOSFC 16.17 (113) defeated Houghton 6.3 (39)
Best Players: Arnold, Kennedy, M. Perry, Skelton
Major Goal Kickers: M. Perry 6, Arnold 4, Barton 2
Round 1
TRINITY WASTE OPPORTUNITIES
In the first hit out of the year, Trinity Old Scholars will rue a number of missed opportunities against Lockleys.
From the first bounce both teams attacked the football intensely and the scores were locked away at quarter time. Lockleys asserted their physical presence in the middle of the ground but Mathews was proving a handful with 14 first quarter possessions.
Trinity dominated the play in the second quarter with Fatchen finding plenty of the football. While Gregory and Zorich looked prominent up forward, Trinity failed to assert scoreboard pressure. Two late goals from Lockleys leveled the buffer at the main break after some costly Trinity turnovers.
Trinity was slow out of the blocks in the third term as Lockleys skipped away to a three goal lead. Battersby attacked the football ferociously and Hall was dominant in defense as Trinity clawed their way back into the game.
With just five points in it, the game was on the line at the start of the last term and Trinity began to run out of legs. While Henderson provided run along the wing, the forwards were shutdown and the backline was under immense pressure. Lockleys ran away with the game to the tune of 27 points as Trinity let the game slip away.
Fatchen had a great day out with 33 possessions and was supported with Mathews who had 31 possessions and 13 marks. Hall was the stand out performer for the game with some astounding work in defense.
TOSFC 11.8 (74) lost to LOCKLEYS 14.17 (101)
Best Players: Hall, Mathews, Battersby, Fatchen, Henderson
Goal Kickers: Gregory 4, Zorich 2, Stork 2, Spurr 1, Arnold 1
RESERVES
The reserves started the season in perfect fashion downing Lockleys by 5 points.
In the dying moments a mark and goal by M. Perry was the clincher in a game where the lead changed many times. Three goals up at one stage, Trinity fell away in the third term but were able to maintain their composure and hold on for a win.
Little was superb in the backline and Dimasi provided blistering pace along the wing. Sumpton and Cave found plenty of the football in the middle of the ground and M. Perry took some telling marks with his four goals. Kennedy was also a prominent player early with some telling possessions in the first half.
It was a great first up win for the reserves who will look to improve next week against Houghton.
TOSFC 11.9 (75) defeated LOCKLEYS 10.10 (70)
Best Players: Sumpton, Cave, Dimasi, M.Perry, Little
Goal Kickers: M.Perry 4, B.Perry 2, Dimasi 2, Sumpton 2, Kennedy 1