Hero photograph
 
Photo by Tracey Veale

HHS Rugby Under 14's Show Promise for the Season Ahead

Matt Parfitt —

Tiger’s Rugby U14 have had a promising start to this year’s Canterbury Community Rugby U14 competition. We started with a pre-season game against Cashmere followed by three competition games against Rangiora, St Bede’s B and again, Cashmere.

The first game against Cashmere was played in brilliant sunshine on a lush but firm paddock at Hoon Hay Park. The hard and fast nature of the game suited the Tiger’s who used their size and speed to out gun the Cashmere team. The second meeting between the two sides was a different affair. The weather was cold and drizzly and Cashmere played to the conditions better than the Tigers. It was not a game for the outside backs. However, both games were played with great heart with outstanding sportsmanship and camaraderie displayed by both sides, on and off the field. The game against Rangiora was played in cold and wet conditions at Burnside Park. The Rangiora team were bigger overall then the Tiger’s. Initially the Tigers played with precision, pace and power, scoring the first try after a great display of team rugby. Unfortunately, the Tiger’s ran out of puff and the big Rangiora forwards got a head of steam and into their work. The Tiger’s were unable to get up fast enough to stop the rampaging Rangiora forward pack. To the Tiger’s credit they never gave up and with hard work and enthusiasm they were able to stem the tide in the second half with some tenacious, character building defence.

The game against St Bede’s played at Hillmorton in wet and cold conditions, again, was an even game but St Bede’s were much better at taking their chances. The Tiger’s created a myriad of opportunities to put the Bede’s side away but never managed to nail the final phase or pass to put the Bede’s line under sustained pressure. It was a game where the Tiger’s played some fast and fluid rugby with forwards and backs interacting well to create forward momentum and space but punctuated by mistakes at the critical moment.

Starting this Saturday, the Tiger’s start into the business end of the draw with the 3 competition games acting like grading games. There is much to look forward to as the Tiger’s implement what they have learned and play with clarity, intensity and accuracy.

We invite you all to come down and watch your Tiger’s Rugby U14’s play. You will see young people with talent, playing with character, at their best when their best is needed. You may even hear the word “Fa’amalosi” spoken by the team at times. “Fa’amalosi” is a Samoan word for being courageous and keeping on. Listen out for it!

  •  Turangawaewae – belonging/a place to stand 
  • Whanaungatanga – interconnectedness/positive relationships 
  • Mana – respect/strength of character 
  • Ako – learning/with and from each other