St. Bede's 1st XV vs Nelson College 1st XV 20 August

At 11:05am Saturday 20 August at Trafalgar Park, Nelson

Also filmed and live on Sky Sports.

St Bede’s College 1st XV recent history v Nelson:

• 2022: Lost by 16 v 22

• 2021: Lost by 10 v 12

• 2020: Won by 35 v 27

• 2019: Lost by 18 v 20

• 2018: Won by 27 v 19

------------------------

Nelson College:

• Founded 1856 - the oldest state secondary school in New Zealand

• Motto: Pietas, Probitaset Sapientia; (Loyalty, honesty and wisdom)

• Roll: 1100+

• Miles Toyota Championship:

Semi-finalist: 2012, 2016, 2017

Runner-up: 2002, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014

Champions: 2007, 2019, 2021

------------------------

St Bede’s College:

• Founded 1911

• Motto: Fide et Opere; (By Faith and By Works)

• Roll: 800+

• Miles Toyota Championship:

Semi-finalist: 2003, 2013, 2018,2019, 2020, 2021

Runner-up: 2007, 2012

Champions: 2008, 2009, 2010,2011, 2015

------------------------

Points of interest:

• The city of Nelson is one of New Zealand’s oldest. The town was named after Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758 –1805). Also known simply as Admiral Nelson, he was a British flag officer in the Royal Navy. His inspirational leadership, grasp of strategy, and unconventional tactics brought about a number of decisive British naval victories during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest naval commanders in history. He was killed in the Battle of Trafalgar. Numerous towns and statues worldwide bear his name. His most famous statue is in the centre of London. Trafalgar Square has as its centrepiece Nelson’s Column, a 45m high column adorned by a statue of Admiral Nelson on top. It was finished in 1843, two years after the town of Nelson in New Zealand was founded.

• Of all Nelson's claims to history, some would say, none are perhaps as significant as to the development of New Zealand's culture as the role it played in establishing our country’s rugby background. Rugby has been a crucial aspect of our heritage and our identity. It all started in Nelson with Charles Munro. Monro is widely accepted as being responsible for bringing rugby to New Zealand. The first game was played between Nelson College "The Gown" and Monro's club "The Town" at the Botanics ground at 2pm on 14 May 1870. The Town won 2-0 in a 20 a side affair. In 1876, the first ever inter-College rugby match in New Zealand was played between Nelson College and Wellington College.

• Long renowned for its sunshine, golden beaches, wines and craft beer, vibrant cultural scene and stunning natural landscapes. Many Cantabrians feel very much at home in Nelson. No doubt from the many happy memories created over years formed from the familiar rhythms of summer holidays to the region. Yet since 2015 Nelson has not been a truly enjoyable location for the St Bede’s 1st XV. The Championship winning side of 2015 defeated Nelson 24-7, crushing their semi-final aspirations that season. Bede’s had overturned a 0-7 deficit to lead 12-7 at half time with the Bede’s forwards gaining ascendancy to assume control of the fixture. St Bede’s last two visits to Nelson (2019 and 2021) have been huge battles, arm wrestles that went down to the wire. Both ended as two-point defeats with St Bede’s failing at the death for the match-winning play in the red zone.

• The 2022 team has proved itself capable of breakthrough wins. It has put St Bede’s back in the Championship Final for an eighth time, reversing a run of four consecutive heart-breaking semi-final losses. The winning of a semi-final and making it through to the Championship Final is a significant accomplishment. In the history of the competition only six schools have done it more than once. These being: Christchurch BHS (thirteen times); Nelson (ten times); St Bede’s (seven times); Marlborough Boys' College, Shirley Boys High and Christ’s College three times each. As well, St Andrew’s College and Timaru Boys' High School have had the experience of playing in a Championship Final.

• St Bede’s and Nelson, together with Christchurch BHS (on 11), are the only schools to have won multiple Championships. St Bede's are next best on five and Nelson are on three. Nelson earned their stripes in recent years, having previously had their share of heartache in losing seven Championship Finals. Nelson and St Bede’s have met three times in the Championship Final. So far, each time the home team has been the victor. In 2007 Nelson won 31-26, in 2009 St Bede’s won 32-6 and in 2011 St Bede’s won 30-12.

• Nelson and Bede’s have not met in the postseason since 2013. Heading into that match, the 2013 Championship semi-final, St Bede’s was unbeaten on their home ground for 62 consecutive matches. Nelson, reversed the result of the round robin match played the previous week. Bede's were up at halftime, yet the visitor’s courtesy of five penalties scored a stunning 15-13 victory. It was St Bede’s only loss that year. It denied St Bede’s a seventh consecutive Crusaders Championship Final appearance.

• Nelson as defending Champions are looking to win their third title in four years. In 2022 they have had a very strong season, including being comprehensive winners of their Annual Quadrangular tournament (with Christ’s College, Wellington College and Whanganui Collegiate) for a fourth consecutive time. Their only losses this year, outside of preseason, have been against Timaru Boys' (away) and St Thomas of Canterbury College (home).

• St Bede’s, following the semifinal last week, have now defeated three table topping teams across the country this season– St Thomas of Canterbury College (20-15), St Patricks College Silverstream (22-15), and St Peter’s College Auckland (20-12). Last weekend’s semi-final match also saw them avenge one of their two losses to date this season. On Saturday, they have the chance to reverse the result of the other one.

• The Trustbank Cup will be on the line, with Nelson as holders having won that in the Round 11 encounter at Sydenham Park.. The winner on Saturday will lift the Miles Toyota Championship Trophy and keep their season alive by going onto represent the Crusaders region in the South Island Championship Final the following weekend.

• The two sides will be very familiar with each other having met just three weeks ago in Christchurch. It was a match that went down to the wire with Nelson victorious. Both teams will be confident that they can get the job done. It's the final so passion and desire won't be lacking. Form will not be overly significant, each can lay strong claims to that. Tactics and execution will be the keys to the match. On these two, Nelson at home will no doubt feel that they are proven. So it will be up to St Bede's to show they can offer cool heads on the day to emerge as winners.