Trinity Rugby

It was a beautiful Dunedin day yesterday for the Interschool fixture between hosts John McGlashan College and our Junior Rugby team. A heavy Bishopscourt field was the venue for this highly anticipated encounter. Eti Vaeau and Charlie Sutherland led the school haka and layed down the wero (challenge) to the opposition. After the early exchanges, Trinity opened the scoring with an outstanding solo try from winger, Fangatua Vaka'uta. John McGlashan levelled the score soon after with a clever team try.

Midway through the first spell, Trinity started to build phases and did the basics of protecting the ball, passing and tackling very well. Eventually the reward came with nifty winger, Louis Thompson scoring a sizzling try out wide. Fullback Zak Harris was also in scintillating form with a number of darting runs and courageous tackles. Skipper Zevi Jones was in his usual 'no-nonsense' modus operandi and led the team in carries and displayed excellent leadership. Joe Burke and Year 7 dynamo, Charlie Sutherland, showed why they are some of the best defensive players in the team making tackle after tackle. In the sheds during the break, Coaches Tony McEntyre and Ox Eathorne praised the team for doing the basics and executing the game plan. Half-time score was 5 - 24.

Trinity started strongly with fly-half, Mason Johnson dotting down for his second try early in the second half. Mason had a huge game and proved to be a slippery combination for the hosts with second-five eighth, Tommy McEntyre, who himself scored two excellent tries. For the remainder of the match, Trinity continued playing patient, team footy that turned into points when in opposition territory. It was the usual story of the forwards doing the grunt work up front then providing the backline with the pill to finish. Other try scorers were Jack Burke, Laken Jones and Jude Booth. When the referee blew his whistle for full-time, the score was: John McGlashan College 15 - Trinity Catholic College 56.

An impressive performance played in great spirit by both teams in the warm sunshine. Thank you to Mrs Nicholson, sideline supporters and alumni who cheered the team on! The next fixture for the team is a 125th Jubilee Match against Central Otago club Upper Clutha on 29 August.