JPII Under 15 Rugby Tournament team by Lynne Berry

Winter Tournament Week - U15 Rugby Trip to Alexandra 2023

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The team completed the tournament 4th out of 12 teams, which was a result well beyond what they might have hoped for.

The boys have a lot to be proud of – their playing and their conduct on and off the field was very good. They even proved handy on the end of a vacuum cleaner during Wednesday night accommodation clean up time. Games were 40 minutes long, and tries were worth either 5 or 7 points, with 3 for a penalty kick.

Results:

Monday pool play:

  • Played James Hargest High School winning 28 to 24 (tries to Cooper, Seth, Payton x2)
  • Played St Peter’s College winning 40 to 5 (tries to Andrew, Cooper, Seth, Quaid, Payton)

Tuesday:

  • Played Verdon College in final pool play game winning 45 to 12 (tries to Seth x2, Andrew, Cooper, Jack x2, Payton x2)
  • Semi-final: lost to Blue Mountain College 46 to 28 (tries to Payton x2, Cooper, Kade, and yellow cards to Jack and Robbie).

Wednesday finals day:

  • Final for 3rd/4th - lost to Papanui High School 38 to 24 (Tries to Seth, Cooper x2, Payton, and yellow card to Quaid).

South Otago High School was named the best team of the tournament.

Payton Guthrie was named in the tournament team, a great acknowledgement of his outstanding effort – we are sure he had the best kick in the tournament, and he was a dynamic playmaker and try scorer.

A huge thanks to coaches Kriston Guthrie and Jolan McLean, and to Melia Guthrie and Marina Tomasi for van driving, looking after the boy's wellbeing, cooking meals, sorting lunches, doing loads of washing each day, and most importantly taking time away from work and families to make the trip happen.

Congratulations to the team who absolutely gave each game everything they had: Payton Guthrie, Cooper McLean, Robbie Lyford (Captain), Max Walklin, Seth Wilson, Quinn Berry, Kade Howe, Jack Costelloe, Mackley Fahey, Taj Atkinson, Jari Atkinson, Keil Guthrie, Quaid Guthrie, and Ethan Williams. From Westland High School – Koben Wieblitz, Rylee Fearn, Spencer Kelly and Andrew Sullivan. Thanks to Cromwell College for sharing three players with us at the last minute and providing sideline support too.   

Thanks to Lynne Berry for the great photos!