Trinity v Barker
.by “oldandslow”
In a gripping match the contest went down to the wire in extended injury time.
It was a game which neither team deserved to lose.
First Half
The game was played to a high standard from start to finish. Barker struck early, after efficient work at the breakdown and fast recycled ball proved too much for Trinity’s line to hold, and prop Anstey scored.
Trinity was unlucky not to score the next two tries. An unstoppable rolling maul from a 5-meter lineout crashed over with scant resistance, but play was called back for a crooked lineout throw. That play also saw James Wayland (1) limp off with knee ligament damage, which is also a blow for the CAS 1st XV, which he was a certainty for.
Shortly thereafter, sharp backline play had Trinity swooping in with an overlap, only for Barker’s inside centre Andrew Saar (12) to intercept the try-scoring pass and gallop 80 meters up-field before Longville tracked him down.
Both sides were clean on their set pieces and kicked astutely. Trinity looked more explosive but Barker scrambled gamely and were ruthless about securing their own ball, recycling it and building pressure with possession.
Trinity skipper Harry McClellan (8) was too big and strong for Barker to contain at times and one of his several damaging runs ended with his bullocking over for a try under the posts.
While Trinity couldn’t quite finish all their promising build ups, Barker’s fit and well-drilled forwards continued to provide quick ball and the men in red added two first half tries, with both of the wing men, Coote (11) and Woerkom (14), benefiting from the solid forward platform and the maintenance of possession over many phases to get space to touch down.
Trinity struck back, with good footwork from Ryan Longville (15) enabling him to skip past some inside defenders and get one-on-one with Barker’s winger, and just enough space on the outside. His pace did the rest: he scored in the corner, and converted from the sideline.
A. Lloyd had converted one of the three Barker tries and slotted a penalty.
Half-time score: Barker 20 – Trinity 14.
Second half
The second half was nearly a stalemate.
Both teams continued to build pressure, but the defences held firm and turnovers were punished with good exits into safer territory. Liam Rasch (5) was a tower in the lineout for Trinity and also strong in general play. Purcell (8) and Lloyd (7) led a fit and committed Barker pack.
Barker’s 14 was yellow-carded for a careless high tackle in cover defence, but the Barker defence was almost impenetrable, in part perhaps because Trinity’s fly-half Siteine chose to go it alone too often in the second half.
He is a direct and evasive runner, but his team would be better served if he distributed the ball more.
The only points scored in the second half was a try to M. Travena for Trinity near the corner. Barker was still in front but the sideline conversion from Longville would change that. He nailed it and Trinity led 21-20.
Some thought the game was near over but there was a lot of injury time to be be used up and Barker could return serve.
The went on attack and parked in Trinity territory; maybe they didn’t trust their goal kicker slotting penalties because they took a line out option and tried to drive over the line but they were held up.
Surge after surge was delivered and the crowd was going crazy and eventually the referee blew his whistle.
The final score was Trinity 21 – Barker 20 but neither team deserved to lose that game.
The players
The game was of such a high standard that every boy out there deserved mention in dispatches, but Ryan Longville took the man of the match award for a mistake-free game that included good clearing kicks, good meters when running kick returns, a fine try and flawless goal kicking—including two sideline conversions that ultimately tipped the score Trinity’s way.
The scoring
Trinity 21 (H. McLennan, R. Longville, M. Travena tries; R. Longville 3 cons) def. Barker 20 (T. Anstey, T. Coote, S. van Woerkom tries; A. Lloyd con, pen). I hope things are well. My report for the Knox vs Cranbrook game.
Photos supplied by Alistair McKeough
See next page for report on for Waverley v Aloys by “Anonymous Al”
