Our annual Sports Exchange with Marlborough Boys College was held in Blenheim on the 20th and 21st of May.

Rugby 1st XV: 25-47 Loss

Match Summary: The game started off well with us striking first. Connor had an intercept and ran 50m to the line for our first try. Marlborough came back with a nice try to take the lead. With a two penalty kicks from Connor we were back in the lead and, at the end of the first half is where our second try came from Evan with a quick tap and good footwork to get him over the line. Giving us a 18-7 lead at the end of the first half. The second half began with us being on the back foot from the get go. Marlborough outplayed us in the second half and we could never really get back into it. Sid scored a pick and go which brought us to 25 points. The game ended with a Marlborough try which came to a final score of 47-25 to Marlborough.

Connor Watherston-Spencer and Kiarn Wilson both had outstanding games, with Connor playing his first game at 12 and Kiran leading from the front with his big defense. The midfielders took home unit of the day for there line breaks and defense and just all round play. Kiran lead from the front and would always be giving us words of encouragement to keep fighting and he would not allow us to drop our heads. ~Kalani Fogalele 1st XV player

Point scorers: Connor Watherston-Spencer, Evan Blyth, Sid Coster

Rugby U15A: 40-12 win

Match Summary: The Marlborough exchange for the Under 15s was a successful trip and it gave us the much-needed opportunity to rectify a couple areas from the prior weekend’s competition opener vs St Thomas.

Defence was one of those areas needing attention, and the boys showed a huge improvement keeping Marlborough College scoreless at half time while dotting down for three well-constructed tries of our own.

The second half was riddled with penalties to both sides and, due to ill-discipline, the trigger-happy referee dealt us out three yellow cards. Despite being down on numbers, the lads showed great character and managed to continue to pile on the points. Marlborough College dotted down for two late tries but overall it was a satisfying performance.

Tries to: Jamie Ehau (2), Alesana Mailei (2), Colton Johnson, Dallas Hurrell-Jones, conversions Jordan Soli (5/6)

Senior Football: 3-6 Loss

Match Summary: The 1st XI Football team had a hard fought match against the Marlborough  1st XI. The team travelled away and were without some of the squad due to various commitments in Christchurch. Thankfully we were able to bolster the squad with four quality players from the 2nd XI.

The game started at a frantic pace and was physical. We conceded two early and soft goals and went down 2-0. SBHS fought back with a penalty from Josh Overend to make it 2-1 and then conceded another soft goal to some poor defensive work to go down 3-1. Before half time we scored from a quality cross and to be finished by Bradley Bradshaw. Marlborough again pulled away with another goal after a poor defensive clearance and to take the lead 4-2. Just before half time SBHS were awarded a penalty outside the box which Josh Overend converted hitting a bullet into the bottom left corner. At halftime scores were 4-3 in Marlborough's favour.

Both teams came out hard and physical in the second half. Marlborough were too good scoring three in the half to win the game 6-3.

The time away was a good learning experience for the squad and they played some entertaining football which wasn’t reflected or rewarded by the scoreline.

The team would like to thank the 2nd XI players Ben Robson, Kahu Weerden-Sweet, Isaac Cantrick, and Kaden Woods-Righton who all made their debut and who played well in their particular positions.

Junior Football:  2-1 Win

Match Summary: The boys had a hard fought victory in Marlborough. Our presence was strong in the opposing half, especially in the first half. However, we were unable to capitalise on our own chances. Marlborough created a few chances of their own through the middle of the park with their very rapid and technical striker. Our boys managed to find space with quick passing and a high intensity which lead to our goals. A ball over the top that their striker latched onto saw them come back into the game. However, it was Shirley’s teamwork and drive that got them through to secure the win. 

Goals scored by Bradley Pike & Aiden Van Der Kroon

Tennis: 3-3 draw (Lost 43-52 on countback)

Match Summary: From Sam Harkness- Year 10: In my words, I found that it was a pleasure to participate in the two day tournament in Marlborough. I loved playing in the premier Tennis team. The highlight of this trip, was staying in our Billet house. This was great to meet new people and also meet my opponents whom I was going to verse the next day. Overall this was a great opportunity to be a part of, something I appreciate being invited to participate in. 

From Liam Boyd- Year 9:It was a good experience and I had fun a lot of fun playing for the Premier tennis team. It was a good staying with my billet house and playing against Marlborough Boys. I think it was good for developing my tennis and I hope I can do this in the future.

Senior Water Polo: 4-23 Loss

Match Summary: Rough match up against a Marlborough side who sit in the South Island Top 6. Shirley without Tahlor Cahill and Connor Watherston-Spencer who have jointly accounted for 80% of the Shirley offence for the last two seasons. Luca Crocker played well in the field, scoring three goals in the first half. Ben Isles added one himself with a fast break score. William Simmons showing his usual good aggression, fouling out (3 major fouls) mid-way through the second quarter. Simmons has fouled out of 7 of his last 9 games for the Senior Academy.

Goals: Luca Crocker (3), Ben Isles (1)

Junior Water Polo: 6-7 Loss

Match Summary: A good match for our Juniors, playing together for the first time. Marlborough led 6-5 with one minute remaining in the game. Shirley called a timeout and equalised with 45 seconds left. Shirley played good defence but unfortunately conceded the game winning goal with twenty seconds remaining. Promising future for this team.

Goals: Ben Isles (2), Luca Crocker (1), Nathan Walker (1), William Simmons (1), Joshua McGraw (1)

1st XI Hockey: 0-3 Loss

Match Summary: The aim of the 1st XI Hockey Team for the game was to get redemption against MBC for beating us eight months ago in the final game at the Johnson Cup. Unfortunately this was not to be as Marlborough had the majority of the ball.

Ollie Lewis had a great game in goal saving many attempts on the Shirley goal by Marlborough.

Senior Basketball: 75-76 Loss

Match Summary: A good match for our Shirley BHS Senior A Basketball Team playing on their first school exchange together. Our team started off slow with a 7-point led to Marlborough with seven minutes left in the first quarter. The boys then came together and all hustled-on defence and offence with Greg starting us of with a monster dunk to spark some energy into the team as we chipped away and brought the game back. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the win losing to Marlborough in the last minute.

Man of the match: Gregory Rodger