Trinity stunned defending CAS premiers Barker and claimed a 23-22 victory to move within one win of a breakthrough CAS premiership. 

After losing to Knox by 40 points in the opening round of the season, Trinity have won their last three consecutive matches and appear to have saved their best rugby until the pointy end of the season.

“It was a great day of rugby for Trinity. We also won the second XV fixture as well,” Trinity coach Mick Snowden told Rugby News. 

“It’s been a strange season and to be honest and we’ve had some outright poor performances and have struggled throughout the season with consistency. If you look at our win over Cranbrook, we were leading 21-0 then snuck home 21-19. 

“The other thing that has really hurt us this season has been our discipline. We’ve lost penalty count, after penalty count, after penalty count this year and they’ve all been deserved. There’s been nothing wrong with the officiating. 

“But on the weekend, it finally clicked for the boys and our discipline was vastly improved. We gave away eight penalties and got 16 out of Barker, which made a big difference. 

“It’s not a coincidence that we’ve had our best result in a match when we’ve been our most disciplined.”

Barker outscored Trinity four tries to two at Hornsby but struggled to convert from the kicking tee. 

Trinity on the other hand had no such issue though and held on for the narrowest of victories. 

“It would’ve been a great game to watch,” Snowden said. 

“Barker had a shot at goal to win it at the end and we were quite lucky to leave with the points. 

“But Orly Hatton-Ward kicked five from five for us from all over the place so while the result could have easily have gone the other way, I was really pleased to see our guys hold on and make the most of their luck.”

Incredibly, if Trinity can beat Waverley at home on Saturday, Trinity and Waverley will share the CAS title. Knox will also be crowned joint premiers if Trinity beat Waverley and Knox beat Barker. 

“Schoolboy footy is all about giving kids great experiences. Our year 12 boys get to play their last ever game for Trinity on No.1 Oval, which is exciting enough. 

“Then you add in the fact that if things fall your way, you’ve got a chance to share the premiership with Waverley, it’s a great opportunity. 

“It’d be a drought breaker for the school. Trinity hasn’t won since 2011 and although it would be a shared title, it’s a premiership none the less. 

“The boys have put in a lot of work, all the teams have, but I think it would be a fitting reward and a great way for some of our boys to finish their schoolboy rugby.”

Snowden admits Waverley will start the final round match as heavy favourites. The Eastern Suburbs’ side ran up a big score against Aloys on Saturday and are undefeated this season. 

Despite that, Snowden is confident his side is in with a chance. 

“Waverley are a very good footy side, they’re probably my favourite side to watch to be honest. They play entertaining footy and they like to throw the ball around,” the former scrumhalf said. 

“They were pretty unlucky with representative selection earlier in the year but I think that corrected itself by the end of the Australian Schools carnival. They have a lot of talented players who ended up being rightfully rewarded. 

“For us, it’s about being disciplined again. We can’t lose the penalty count and give them free entries into our half because they’re already good enough, we don’t need to help them out.”

Trinity meet Waverley at No.1 Oval at Summer Hill at 3:15pm this Saturday afternoon.