The final contest of the 2014 Colts season was held at Huntingdale Golf Club in rainy and squally conditions. With the Latrobe team in last place on the ladder, only one result would be good enough. A win was needed, with other results falling in Latrobe’s favour, in order to avoid relegation. Coming up against finals hopefuls Rosanna made this task look even more difficult.

With the required result in mind, it was Aiden May who agreed to play the team role and move up from his usual number 3 position to take on the challenge at number 1. This would hopefully help Cooper Bricks and Keegan Michael to get the wins that Latrobe needed. With a “nothing to lose” attitude, the team hit the course.

The early matches started positively for Latrobe, with Nick Kalifatidis and Niko Serdenes taking control of their matches from the outset. Nick continued to play fearlessly around the difficult Huntingdale layout, winning his match 4&2. Niko also pressed home his advantage, eventually winning his match. With Keegan Michael and Aiden May falling to Rosanna’s division leading form early, all attention turned to Cooper Bricks’ match as the deciding point of Latrobe’s season. Unfortunately, his opponent showed incredible touch around the tricky greens, making several classy un-and-downs in the run home, closing out the match 4&2 and with it, Latrobe’s season hopes.

A lot could be said about the result of the season, but what is unquestionable, is the determination and mateship of the team. Despite going through the entire season without a win, the team did not once waver in their commitment, with team practices and early morning starts handled with all the spirit of an undefeated team. For that, I must commend the boys.

Given the early mornings, attending colts matches is not always an appetising prospect. As such, I think it is very important to acknowledge those who braved the 5:30 wake ups, the single digit temperatures and the 30+ km drives to support the Colts side. Firstly, the caddies; Wally Fruscalso, Chris Khong, Geoff Blackman, Jan Cracknell, Darren Martin, Matt Sellars, Jordan Tier, Stephen May, Chris Serdenes and Lex Tier. Secondly, the Supporters; Rod Haines, Ken Holman, Neil Cracknell and Tony Sellars. Lastly, I’d like to thank the families of the players who put up with the early wake ups every Sunday to get the boys on the course.

While this season may not have delivered the success the team deserved, I have no doubt that 2015 will be a different story, and the boys will do all they can to delivery Latrobe a brand new triangular flag.

Steven Cracknell

Colts Team Manager