University go Back to Back
24 Sep, 2012
UNIVERSITY have claimed their second WA Amateur Football League A Grade Premiership in as many years, narrowly defeating Trinity Aquinas at Medibank Stadium last Saturday.
In a see-sawing game, reigning premiers University managed to break away in the last quarter and hold on for a 6-point win despite a gallant fight back from Trinity Aquinas who were in search of their first ever A Grade Premiership.
The game was tight from the first bounce with neither side able to capitalise on early opportunities, Trinity Aquina’s Luke Conca finally breaking the deadlock with the first goal at the seven-minute mark.
University responded through a snapped goal from Matthew Breen and only three points separated the two sides at the first change.
The second quarter started with two quick goals to University and when Scott Dillon added another for University they were 16-points up and threatening to run away with it.
Trinity refused to lie down however, sneaking one back against the momentum through Jamie Birrell and then adding another through James Dean with just 15-seconds to go to bring the margin down to five.
The late goal proved to be a momentum shifter and Trinity started the third as they ended the first half, kicking an early goal and hitting the front by two points.
They controlled the majority of the play but struggled to capitalise on the opportunities up forward, relinquishing the lead to the reigning premiers at the 15 minute mark of the quarter when University rebounded and made them pay.
Down, but not out, Trinity again rallied and when Preston O’Keefe went on a three bounce run and side stepped an opponent before kicking a goal from 45m out they were two points up and looked to have all the momentum heading into the final change.
The celebrations were short-lived however, University kicking the first goal of the last within a minute before adding another two to lead by 14-points with 10 minutes to play.
Trinity fought to get back into the contest but two posters in the dying stages proved too costly, eventually losing by six points.
University’s Chris Wiese was awarded the B.J Giles Medal as best on ground for his performance.
FINAL SCORES
University 9.12 – 66 defeat Trinity Aquinas 8.12 – 60
