Victory at last for the Saints’ senior side

IT had been 1099 days since St Virgil’s senior side had sung the club song in the Old Scholars Football Association but the embattled club finally broke through on Saturday.

Old Scholars Football Association club St Virgils defeated Hutchins over the weekend to break a 1099-day cold streak. From left, coach Matthew Tyrell, player Liam Rice and president Matthew Rice. Picture: PATRICK GEE

IT had been 1099 days since St Virgil’s senior side had sung the club song in the Old Scholars Football Association but the embattled club finally broke through on Saturday.

The Saints, who were in danger of not fielding two teams at the start of last year due to a critical shortage of players, were riding a 55-game losing streak dating back to August 8, 2015 heading into the clash against Hutchins.

But when the final siren sounded the shackles had been lifted after they held on for a nailbiting 15-point victory in front of a boisterous home crowd at New Town Oval.

The victory sparked wild celebrations within the playing group and flowed well into the night, but it was all deserved for many who had stuck by the club during a testing few years.

“We set ourselves for this one, last time we played Hutchins we were pretty close to them all day, they got up by six or seven goals but we played pretty well,” first-year coach Matt Tyrell said.

“We had a 35 point lead at three quarter time, but Hutchins came back at us a bit in the last.

“When the siren finally went there was a fair bit of relief but a lot of excitement as well.

“There were quite a few players who have played 50 games for the club and hadn’t won one.”

Saints president Matthew Rice, who is into his second year in the role but has been part of the committee for more than a decade, knew the day would finally come but never allowed to dream it might happen while he was still involved.

“It was a bit emotional after the game, we reflected back and after the boys sung the song it came through what a huge effort it has been from the state we were in at the start of last year.

“To not have to forfeit any games, to eventually getting that win. You know it is always going to come but I was hesitant it might happen while I was still president.”