Rugby

Cranbrook – 30 July, 2022

CAS Round 4 v Cranbrook

The sun finally appeared for an extended period and we were able to have all fifteen of our teams take the field against Cranbrook. Across these fixtures we picked up six wins and nine losses, with our opens and 16s age groups only experiencing the one victory across their seven games. Our Middle School teams fared far better, winning five of their eight games including the 13A, 13C, 14B, 14C and 15A teams.

 

This week’s results were:

1st XV 12-22 15B 5-24
2nd XV 0-47 14A 7-22
3rd XV 0-34 14B 41-5
4th XV 10-34 14C 34-7
16A 20-17 13A 41-7
16B 15-22 13B 15-25
16C 0-41 13C 12-10
15A 26-19

 

Team of the Week

Our Team of the Week v Cranbrook is:

  • Christopher Andary (8Du) – 14C
  • Nick Keogh (12Ta) – 1st XV
  • Will Jenkins (8Hi) – 14B
  • Finn Ramanauskas (11Ke) – 4th XV
  • Noah Herden (10He) – 16A
  • Jayden Azzi (10Ke) – 16C
  • Taj Young (8We) – 14A
  • Maurice Marroun (7Fo) – 13C
  • Hunter Goldsbrough (12Fo) – 2nd XV
  • Logan Toohey (9Ke) – 15A
  • Liam Clayton (12Fo) – 3rd XV
  • Dawson Williams (10Wj) – 16B
  • Alessio Caridi (7Sc) – 13A
  • Grayson Doig (9He) – 15B
  • William Sheldrick (7We) – 13B

 

Leading Point Scorers and Leading Try Scorers

For the first time since round 2, we have a new leader across both boards. A 4-try performance from Alessio Caridi (7Sc) has seen him move two tries and 12 points clear of Jozef Cluff (8Ar) in both categories. 1st XV captain Orly Hatton-Ward (11Sc) is the only other player with an outside shot of topping the point scorers’ chart, sitting 19 points back on 50 points. While a 3-try performance from Amosia Soatini (10Fo) has seen him move to 9 tries and outright 3rd on the try-scorers’ list. It all comes down to an away fixture this week against Waverley.

Leading Point Scorers
69 Alessio Caridi (7Sc)
57 Jozef Cluff (8Ar)
50 Orly Hatton-Ward (11Sc)
45 Amosia Soatini (10Ho)
44 Jayden Rodger (7Ta)
43 Logan Toohey (9Ke)
37 Angus Mansfield (8Ke)
35 Joel Lim (7Yo)

Hunter Knight (9Wh)

Sam Niulala (11St)

Leading Try Scorers
13 Alessio Caridi (7Sc)
11 Jozef Cluff (8Ar)
9 Amosia Soatini (10Ho)
7 Joel Lim (7Yo)

Hunter Knight (9We)

Sam Niulala (11St)

Angus Mansfield (8Ke)

Logan Toohey (9Ke)

6 Sami Nasr (11Mu)

Will Jenkins (8Hi)

Xavier Toomalatai (8Ho)

 

Representative Selections:

Congratulations to Daniel Christodoulou (11Mu), Max Meagher (10Hi) & Sam Niulala (11St) who were selected in the NSW Waratahs Under 16 Academy team. They will now play a series of games against Under 16 teams from the ACT Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels, QLD Reds & the Western Force. This is the highest level of representation available to Under 16 players, as such these young men deserve the commensurate recognition for their achievement.

Mick Snowden | Director of Rugby

 

1st XV Match Report

The scene was set for a perfect Saturday afternoon; the weather had cleared, the large compulsory crowd had found its voice, and six players from our 1st XV were walking out of the tunnel and onto TGS 1 for the last time. All that was left to do was send Nick Keogh (12Ta), Paulo Tauiliili-Pelesasa (12He), Riley Martin (12We), Alisi Leao (12Mu), Dom Feros (12Wj) & Kian Edmed (12Fo) out as winners.

From the kick-off both teams sought to move the ball around and stretch the opposition defensively. Cranbrook would have the best of the early running, finding their way deep into the Trinity half time and time again. The Green Wall would hold and the return of Lucas Young (12We) was timely, as he repeatedly sourced turnover ball from the breakdown, allowing Trinity to escape pressure. Another failed exit however would provide Cranbrook with one opportunity too many, as some sharp play from the back of a rolling maul would see them draw first blood, crashing over in the corner. The kick would sail wide, but Cranbrook would lead 5-0 early.

Trinity responded well to the challenge and long passages of entertaining attack saw Trinity begin to dominate the game. A perfectly worked piece of set piece play saw Orly Hatton-Ward (11Sc) put Kian Edmed through a gap who threw a long cut out pass to Mitchell Chen (11Ar), who picked the ball up of his bootlaces at full flight and dove over in the corner for his first try in the 1st XV. The teams would continue toing and froing before the referee’s whistle called for half time with the scores tied at 5-5.

The second half begun much the same as the first, with Cranbrook scoring early following an impressive run from their winger, as he scored his second of the game. The conversion was successful, and an additional penalty minutes later would see Cranbrook stretch their lead to 15-5.

Trinity needed something special to turn the momentum back in their favour and up stood the 1st XV’s captain. With the Cranbrook defence holding strong, Orly dropped a deft banana kick over the top of the defensive line into vacant territory, where Malik Amine (11Yo) would pounce on the ball after its second bounce. Malik then beat several defenders before being pulled down metres short of the line, he then popped the ball up to the ever-present Lucas Young (11We) who dove for the corner. While Lucas was fighting to the ground the ball, the referee had ruled that the Cranbrook defender had tackled Lucas illegally and awarded a penalty try to Trinity. No conversion was required, and the deficit was reduced to 15-12.

Despite some valiant final passages of play Trinity were unable to pull back the gap, as Cranbrook added a ate try to seal their victory. While ultimately unsuccessful in securing a victory the men in green and white put on an entertaining display of rugby and sent their Year 12 team mates out in admirable fashion.

Final Score: Trinity 12 defeated by Cranbrook 22.

Tries: Micthell Chen (1) & Penalty Try (1).

Mr. Snowden & Mr. Pay | 1st XV Coaches

 

2nd XV Match Report

The last home round of the season saw the boys full of gusto and confident of a strong performance against a classy and undefeated Cranbrook side. The clear skies and building crowd seemed to buoy the men in green as they brought grit and physicality into the 1st half of the game, with a number of robust defensive efforts and barnstorming runs placing Cranbrook on the back foot. Unfortunately, several errors allowed the opposition to sneak over the line for two first half tries and take a 14-0 lead into the break.

Confidence was high at half time, the team identified opportunities to attack and were poised for a 2nd half resurgence. Cranbrook, however, had other ideas and, as they started to take a strangle hold on the game, blew the wind out of our sails. It wasn’t the performance we were hoping for, however, next week’s final game against Waverley provides one more opportunity to piece together the all-round performance we have trained to execute.

Final Score: Trinity 0 defeated by Cranbrook 47.

Mr. Kearsley & Mr. Di Paola | 1st XV Coaches

 

3rd XV Match Report

Arriving at Trinity on a glorious winter morning, the 3rd XV were geared up to send off the Year 12 players for their last home game of the season. After an energised and focused warm up, newly appointed captain Rhys Williams (12St) led the team out onto No. 1 oval for his last time to face Cranbrook.

The game began with Trinity on the back foot in defence, and despite a much-improved defensive display, Cranbrook dominated possession in the opening 15 minutes of the game. Whilst Cranbrook were able to score 4 early tries, the men in green were not beaten through the middle and forced Cranbrook to spread the ball out wide to score their points.

Trinity clawed their way back into the contest with increased possession, allowing them opportunity to attack and build momentum. Elias Sidiropoulos (12Yo) and Mackenzie Stewart (12Mu) made some impactful runs and were well supported at the break down by Eden Taouk (12WJ). Whilst Liam Clayton (12Fo) was involved everywhere including managing the forward attack and running backline plays from the scrum.

The second half proved to be a much more even contest, despite Trinity playing with reduced numbers for most of it. Charlie Naffah (11Du) made some great defensive hits, as did Daniel Cattana (12St) who moved to fullback and put his body on the line numerous times against much larger opposition. Tommy Tsougranis (11Hi) went tantalisingly close to scoring down but was called out for a toe on the touch line. Unfortunately, Trinity was unable to recover from the fast start by Cranbrook and the final score ended up as 34 – 0.

Even though it was not Trinity’s day on the score board, the 3rd XV never took a backward step and improved as the game went on. They should be proud of the growth they have achieved as a team.

Final Score: Trinity 0 defeated by Cranbrook 34.

Mr. Finch | 3rd XV Coach

 

16A Match Report

Last Saturday’s fourth round CAS fixture against Cranbrook provided an entertaining spectacle for the spectators. The forwards’ ball retention and support over the ball allowed captain Akira Chapman (10Du) at halfback to fire numerous passes to flyhalf Dane Mitchell (11La) who injected his centres Caleb Leao (10Mu) and Charles Williams (10La) into mid-field holes as they ran decisive attacking lines onto well-timed passes. Oliver Askew (11We) and Ryan Mock (10Du) frequently penetrated Cranbrook’s back-line defence. Jamieson Urch (10Wh) at full-back also attacked in the wide channels that forced the Cranbrook backs to scramble in defence. Both Charles Williams and Caleb Leao took advantage of any attacking opportunities provided by quick thinking from Dane Mitchell, who also exposed defensive lapses between the Cranbrook centres.  Zeke Edmed (10Fo), playing at flanker and later at centre, often found space in the traffic around the ruck, but sometimes resorted to his uncompromising ‘Lomu side-step’ that Noah Herden (10He) and Amosia Soatini (10Ho) used as opportunities to maintain momentum, which set the foundation for the team’s three tries, scored by Amosia Soatini. Noah Herden, playing in the second row, was a menace, both at the breakdown and carrying the ball forward. Some well-timed passes from Akira Chapman to Dane Mitchell, cracked Cranbrook’s mid-field defence, opening the central channels that the front row pairing of Cameron Der Goot (10We) and Jensen Otto (10He) targeted with bullocking runs. Hooker, Luke Leckie (10Ho) carried well in attack, and worked hard on the ground to secure Trinity ball for Trinity support players. Marcus Ticic (10Sc) and Bailey Martin (10We), defended their ruck channels and often secured turn-over ball when the 16As were under attacking pressure.  Overall, the fourth round of the 2022 CAS season affirmed the team’s collective desire to play for each other, as well as reminding them of the importance of playing consistently to the pattern.

Final Score: Trinity 20 defeated Cranbrook 19.

Tries: Amosia Soatini (3).

Conversions: Dane Mitchell (1).

Penalties: Dane Mitchell (1).

Mr. Folli | 16A Coach

 

15A Match Report

The 15A’s arrived at Cranbrook having not played a rugby match in over a month. Boys were eager to show their mettle. The squad began with a strong intensity and physicality from the forwards up front by winning all scrums and forcing Cranbrook to switch to uncontested scrums. Special mentions to Marcus Mastro (10Mu), Dom Willis (9Ho) and William Cicinelli (10Ta) for their intensity and physicality up front of the scrum.

The students showed further domination from the forwards lead by 2 consecutive and well executed rolling mauls from lineouts; leading to a try by Ben Keogh (9Ta). Backs played hard to block and disrupt Cranbrook’s set pieces. On attack, the backs showed their flare with exceptional plays by Logan Toohey (9Ke) who made multiple line breaks and scoring a try after stepping through half the team. Clever kicking behind the line and passing also lead to our flyers on the wings Max Burke Moore (10Ar) and Brock Prideaux (9Wh) to both score.

Three quarters of the match was dominated by Trinity with a score line at one point of 26-5; however due to fatigue and consecutive penalties against Trinity; Cranbrook was able to reply with two easy tries. Game finished a lot closer than it looked with Trinity outlasting Cranbrook with a 26-19 score line.

Final Score: Trinity 26 defeated Cranbrook 19.

Tries: Max Burke-Moore (1), Logan Toohey (1), Ben Keogh (1) & Brock Prideaux (1).

Conversions: Tom Bermingham (3)

Mr. Huynh | 15A Coach

 

13A Match Report

The 13As turned out a brilliant team effort against Cranbrook at the weekend. The team showed tenacity in defence to keep our opponents to one try. As a result, the 13As have conceded only a single try in past three halves of football. The support at the breakdown offered by loose forwards ensured periods of play with quick ball to our backline. David Fisterman (7Wh) opened the scoring after a series of attacking phases inside Cranbrook’s 22.

Finn Byrne (7Mu) scored a well-deserved try due to his characteristic low body height and leg drive post-contact. Zac Bachir (7Mu) was the third forward to score, a testament to his direct running style. Alessio Caridi (7Sc) was the ultimate beneficiary of the team’s hard work at the ruck. Alessio bagged four tries, each time showing his speed and skilfulness when given some space. The team is looking forward to one final challenge as the CAS season draws to a close.

Final Score: Trinity 41 defeated Cranbrook 7.

Tries: Alessio Caridi (4), Zac Bachir (1), Finn Byrne (1) & David Fisterman (1).

Conversions: Marcus Prideaux (3)

Mr. Miller & Mr. Allen | 13A Coaches

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