Brilliant Season Opener for Year 7 & 8 Rugby

At 12.30pm on Friday 23rd May the Trinity year 7 and 8 rugby team had their season opener against the powerhouse that is Balmacewan Intermediate. Having lost the game 30 points in 2024. This was going to be a challenge.

Arriving at Bishops Court in the glorious sunshine it was obvious that the game was going to be a festival of running rugby.

Daniel Thomson (Year 12 Trinity student) was the appointed referee as he is completing his referee qualification supported by Otago Referee Development Manager Brendan. Well done Daniel on staying involved in the game not just as a player!

The game began with a minute silence for the anniversary of Enere McLaren-Taana. Both teams hearing about Enere's love for the game and passion for competition from Mr Sutherland. Then the Wero was laid down with both teams performing their school Haka. Trinity's Haka was led passionately by year 8, Isaac Jago (Te Atiawa/Ngāti Maru).

12.30pm kickoff and Trinity was playing into the wind in the first half. Within the first 3 minutes Trinity had capitalised on some strong defense to force the error with a turn over penalty from flanker Charlie Sutherland. From the penalty barnstorming midfielder, Tommy McEntyre made the break and finished off the attack with a try. Tommy also converted. The first half was constant try for try. Trinity had the ascendancy early but Balmacewan came back with some big strong carries and hard running, leading to tries. Close to the end of the first half, flying winger Eamon Henderson burst free down the right edge and outpaced the cover defense to score a brilliant solo effort. 

Going into halftime Trinity had the lead by 7. Oranges and some wise words from coaches Tony McEntyre and Brendan(Ox) Eathorne had Trinity believing that with effort and teamwork a win was possible. Straight after halftime, Balmac came out firing shots. Scoring 2 quick tries through a rampaging run from their number 2 and some pace out wide from their outside backs. Trinity was now firmly on the backfoot. However, this team has a year of playing as a team and the faith was strong.

Balmac continued to attack but was stopped by staunch defense. Louis Thompson and Max Morgan-Eathorne came up with 2 one on one stops out wide to stem the flow of points. Eti Vaeau making sure the hard running Balmac forwards were put to ground up the middle.

Trinity slowly inched their way back into the game with tries to Eti running great support lines to take a pop pass from the ground and crash over under the sticks and to Tommy McEntyre our teams backline general.

With 2 minutes to play Trinity were behind 40-45. Trinity were hot on attack but no matter what they did could not break down the Balmac line defense. With less than 30 seconds to go the ball out to Mason Lynch on the wing with 2 or 3 defenders coming across and not much room to work with. Like all good wingers he pinned his ears back and backed himself. The dive into the corner was DWZ like and after consultation between the referee's and match officials the try was awarded. Game tied. Time up. Kick to come!

Tommy stepped up from out wide to take the conversion. The kicked was straighter than a tradies level and sailed over the black dot!

The Trinity team stormed Tommy in jubilation as they had just won the fixture 47-45.

Tommy McEntyre was immense in attack and defense for Trinity and never stopped working hard for his team. Eti Vaeau was hard running and hard tackling all game. Isaac Jago provided quick ball from half back to unleash our backs. Laken Jones was the invisible workhorse in the forward pack. Charlie Sutherland was tackling as if he was 20kg heavier. The Trinity team was in this together and for each other. Each player giving it their all.

The biggest mentions of the day must go to the players who made their Trinity Catholic College Rugby debuts. Arlo Stevenson-Wright, Harris O'Sullivan, Zak Harris, Fangatua Vakauta and Tomasi Tili. Welcome to the future of Trinity rugby.