2014 Colt’s Season – Playoffs

 Trojans
Jun 022014
 

The Sydney University Cubs knocked the West Sydney Trojans out of the playoffs 12 months ago. Since then, a lot of veteran players moved on from the Trojans and a new group of young rookies came on board. As a result the 2014 season started slow for the Trojans as the new players learnt a new sport. During the season, the Cubs and Trojans played twice and the Cubs won both times. The Trojans improved as the season went on and started to hit their best late in the season. Now, the stage was set for a playoff rematch at 5 Sports with a perfect night for football and two teams fighting for a chance to have a shot at the Seahawks for the GNSW Colts State Championship.

The Cubs won the toss and deferred, so Trojans had first chance with the ball. Trojans quickly got into the redzone but the Cubs held them to a 4th and goal from the 1. Jason Ielua was not to be denied and banged it in against some tough defence. Extra point good, 7-0.

The Cubs were putting together a nice drive deep into Trojans’ territory but a tipped pass was snatched out of the air by Adam Goddard and returned just shy of mid-field. Trojans take over. Jason Ielua was able to score from 22 yards out with a key block by Mario Romero. Extra point blocked 13-0.

Trojans defence has been a strong backbone for the team all year and they proved this again preventing the Cubs from getting a first down. Trojans take over at the Cubs 40 after a bad Cubs’ punt and Jason Ielua didn’t waste time, taking a simple run up the middle all the way for the score. Two point no good, 19-0.

The Cubs got another drive going down to a 1st and goal. But the Trojans defence put the clamps on and held for 4 downs with some great plays from Jarrad Clarke, Jamie Goddard and Chris Cochbain. Trojans take over at their own 2 yard line. Two plays later and they are at mid-field with plays by Michael Head and then Jarrad Clarke. Next, the two combined together for a long pass to put another touchdown on the board for the Trojans. Two point attempt no good taking the score to 25-0. The half ended on the two play. The challenge now for the Trojans is to maintain focus on the game and to play for the win in the second half rather than celebrate too early.

Cubs started with the ball. A potentially big pass play for the Cubs was broken up by a brilliant play by Jamie Goddard but Jamie could only stop so much and the next play the Cubs complete a big pass play up their sideline to the Trojans 19 yard line. Some good swarming defence from the Trojans slowed down the drive but the Cubs still managed to score to get their first points. Nathan Reeves breaks up the two point play. 25-6.

Trojans were not to be out done and came back with a drive of their own on a short field due to a short kick attempt by the Cubs that went out of bounds. Jarrad Clarke hauled in a long pass up the sideline to take the score to 31-6. On the ensuing drive, the Cubs tested Jamie Goddard again on a long pass and this time he did more than break the play up but instead grabbed himself an interception. The Cubs forced the Trojans to punt for the first time. They needed this to have any chance to get back in this game. The Cubs did what they needed to, and got the ball in the endzone off a convincing drive. Score now 31-14.

The Trojans needed to get a drive going to put a halt to this potential comeback. And the Trojans’s offence did, this time striking from mid-field by a Jason Ielua scamper. Score now 37-14 which was the final score.

This win puts the Trojans in the playoffs for the first time since 2005 where they faced none other than the Sutherland Seahawks. That season the Trojans were undefeated for the season but lost to the Seahawks by 1 point in the championship game. I am sure there are many fans out there that hope that the underdog wins again this time. The Trojans have their work cut out for them though to beat the Seahawks who have been a cut above the rest for the season. Game will be at 5 Sports with a 6pm kickoff on the 7th of June.

2014 Colt’s Season – Week 12

 Trojans
May 282014
 

The Seahawks and Trojans have had a long history of playing high stake games including 2 championship bouts split evenly. This would not be one of them as the result of this game would not change the final standings. But there was still plenty of rivalry with a battle of pride and bragging rights.

The night was perfect football weather at 5 Sports. The Seahawks started with the ball and didn’t take long, 3 plays in fact, to get into the endzone. The Trojan’s defence was missing some star players and it showed on this first drive. Seahawks got the two points making the score 8-0 quickly.

The Trojans’ offence took the field and had one bad play after another with many missed blocks, bad decisions and bad execution. Turnover on downs was the result after a badly handled punt snap. Another 3 play drive for the Seahawks see them make the score 14-0. Lack of understanding and effort on the next kick return would see Kris Gacuma trapped deep in Trojans’ territory.

The ensuing Trojans’ drive was an impressive one, getting down to the Seahawks’ 1 yard line where Stephen Meaney cashed in the touchdown behind some good blocking. Extra point was wide right, taking the score to 14-6 in favour of the Seahawks.

On the next Seahawks possession, Siale Langi received a pitch from the Seahawks quarterback and gladly accepted it. The Trojans gave the ball right back by way of an interception that was returned for a touchdown. Score now 22-6. This is how the half ended.

Trojans started the second half with the ball. An impressive, quick drive saw Michael Head crash in from 2 yards out. Michael converted his own touchdown to make the score 22-14. The Seahawks got a good drive going to answer back but it was thwarted by a Jaidyn Williams’ interception.

But like the last takeaway, the ball was given back to the Seahawks on the ensuing drive. The Trojans thought they were so good they could play with only 8 players….for 2 consecutive plays. The results were a touchdown and a two point conversion for the Seahawks. Score now 30-14.

A solid next drive by the Trojans, which included a play by Kris Gacuma where he broke 56 tackles, was what the Trojans needed. The result was a 3 yard touchdown run by Jason Ielua. With the two points good, we have a score of 30-22. A short and impressive Seahawks drive made the score 38-22.

A big kick return by Adam Goddard setup the Trojans offence in Seahawks territory and 2 plays later Jamie Goddard scores on a catch over the middle. Two point conversion good and that rounded out the scoring, Seahawks 38, Trojans 30.

A great second half effort by the Trojans after lackadaisical first half which put them in a bad position. The second half shows what the Trojans can achieve if they choose to focus and work hard. They will need to bring more of that going into the play-offs next week against the Sydney University Cubs. The Trojans lost both games against the Cubs during the regular season and so have their work cut out for them in an effort to advance to the championship game.

2014 Colt’s Season – Week 11

 Trojans
May 202014
 
North Western Predators

Winter is setting in and this night was no exception out at cold Craik Park.

The Trojans had their collective backs against the wall in their fight to stay alive for the playoffs. Their fight shone through as the Trojans quickly got on the board after recovering a Panthers’ fumble on the opening kick-off, scoring on their first offensive snap by way of a Jarrad Clarke run. Extra point good, 7-0 Trojans. The Panthers decided to challenge Jarrad Clarke on their next offensive drive with a long pass and they lost. Jarrad returned the interception 27 yards deep into Panthers territory. Unfortunately the Trojans couldn’t do anything with the possession.

The Panthers got a drive going but the relentless play from linebackers Nathan Reeves and Chris Cochbain put an end to that and got the ball back on a turnover on downs inside Trojans territory. Three plays later and Jarrad Clarke takes a slant 62 yards to pay dirt and with the extra point good, the score was now 14-0.

Trojans’ defence made quick work of the Panthers’ next drive and the Trojans’ offence capitalised on it with a thorough drive capped by an Adam Goddard touchdown run who was aided by excellent blocking by Myles Jones, Ben Vitagliano and Mario Romero. Extra point good so score now 21-0.

After a Chris Cochbain blocked punt, the Trojans didn’t have much field to cover for another score. Three plays later and Nathan Reeves cashed in behind some more great blocking to take the score to 27-0 and ending the half.

The test was now for the Trojans to keep up their intensity for the entire game. On this night, they were up to the challenge as Adam Goddard took the opening kick-off of the second half all the way back for a touchdown. Two point play was good and the score was quickly, 35-0.

Once again, the Trojans’ defence made short work of the Panthers’ offence and got the ball back inside Panthers’ territory on a turnover on downs. On the first play of the next drive, Kris Gacuma scores on a 35 yard reception down the middle. He converts his own touchdown to make the score 42-0.

The Panthers put together an impressive, long drive to earn their first touchdown of the game by way of a run by their quarterback. Making the score now 42-6.

A Michael Head interception saw the Panthers with the ball on the Trojans 2 yard line. One play later and the Panthers get their second touchdown, again on a run by their quarterback. Score is now 42-14.

Credit to the Panthers for attempting an onside kick but it backfired as it went straight to Kris Gacuma who promptly took it back to the Panthers’ 17 yard line. This time the Trojans used their passing game to move the ball with key catches from Jaidyn Williams and Nathan Cornwell. A brilliant heads up play by Michael Head (pardon the pun) resulted in another touchdown for Kris Gacuma. This rounded out the scoring at Trojans 49, Panthers 14.

For the third week in a row, the Trojans showed great fight and focus. They will need all they can find for next weeks clash with the unscathed Sutherland Seahawks.

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