On Monday 21st June Southland Girls travelled up to play our First XV in a pre season rugby game.

With the Otago Secondary School girls First XV competition starting this week it was a necessary pre-season game for both teams to allow for structure and game play to be tested and to get time together on the field as a team.

SGHS is one of New Zealand's Top 4 First XV girls teams so to play against a top tier team excited our players as it was a challenge and pushed the girls individually and as a team.

The first half saw SGHS claim three early tries, however, as our players' nerves settled Columba managed to put pressure on SGHS defence and Madison Sullivan barged through to claim our first try. With Columba coming straight off their sevens season, we had speed and were able to run around many defenders and our forwards had many strong carries up the field however were just unable to capitalise and left a few unanswered tries. In the end Southland claimed the win 36-7, however, there were many individual wins made in performance and Columba's confidence grew as a team.

Both teams came together at the end of the game to enjoy pizza and refreshments. The winner of the Otago Secondary Schools Competition will go onto play the top Southland Girls First XV team for a place in attending the Top 4 Nationals at the end of the year. With a star-studded team this year, we wish Columba First XV all the very best in pushing for Top 4 contention.