Won 7 Lost 3 (one bye and one derby on Friday)

1st XV vs Christchurch BHS lost 14-31

This game was an important game for both teams, with the competition being so close.

Tough day in the office for our boys and defended like demons for majority of the game. Boys' High through their locks/blindside tore up the middle of the park with their height and off loads, that allowed their backs to score some nice tries.

First half was solid performance from both teams with Boys' High up by one try. The boys had done all the right things and laid a good platform (scrum/lineouts) to deliver for the second 35 min, but the opportunities were not taken and coming up against a very solid defence that was relentless all day.

Two very good tries by George Methven, especially the 80 metre run for his second try in which his speed left their backline defenders watching as he continued to pull away from them while they were chasing him.

Deserved victory to Boys' High, but outstanding effort from our boys with the score line not showing the physicality from both teams and a very good game of rugby to watch form the side-line.

Player of the day – Ben O’Donovan

2nd XV vs St. Thomas's won 24-21

Going into our 7th game of the season with a 6-0 record, the team was keen to maintain their run and lift the JAB U18 Challenge Shield from STCC.The plan was to keep the pressure on STCC by using our kicking options and and have them running the ball out of their 22. Whilst the first half didn’t play out quite like this, we were in control leading 21 nil at the half, having scored three tries, to Amby Pulega, Charlie Stenberg and Sam Hemmingson-White, all converted by Matt Boyle. Fifteen minutes into the second half STCC scored and with an easy conversion their spirits lifted. Within a minute of the restart an intercept lead to their second try and they were back in the game with the try converted.Now leading by 7 and with 17 minutes to go we had to score next, the opportunity came from a penalty kick from the half. With Matt’s accuracy the 3 points were added giving us a little more breathing room. Reduced to 14 men after a yellow card, we were once again on the back foot, and STCC used this to run in another successfully converted try with just 4 minutes to go. Fortunately they run out of time and at the whistle the three point difference was enough. Full credit to the opposition who maintained their desire to hold onto the Shield and came so close to doing so. Player of the Day: Lorenzo Lelli   Tries: Amby Pulega, Charlie Stenberg, Sam Hemmingson White. Conversions: Matt Boyle 3, Penalties: Matt Boyle 1

3rd XV BYE

U16A vs StAC Won 19-15

U16B vs Hillmorton/Cashmere U16 Won 54-26

On Saturday the U16B faced off against Hillmorton High School. On opening kickoff Hillmorton's forward pack imposed their will and scored within the first three minutes. However this didn't rattle the U16B boys who responded with a beautiful score by Todd McDermott. Though we added a other score from Kazu Yoshida we were down at half after giving up two tries before half. After convening at half we understood in order to win we had to increase defensive pressure and push the pace on offence. The U16B boys rose to the occasion and scored nineteen unanswered points with tries from Joel Pomare-Edwards, Harvey Scott and Mitch Pile. With the game in grasp and a tiring opposition we continued our offensive onslaught with scores by Jack Grant and Liam Nind while Mitch Pile added to this total with amazing kicking and two more tries of his own. The end score of 54-26 was great by the U16B boys who are excited about our next game. 

U15A vs Cashmere HS Won 57-12

At practice this week we worked on our catch-pass skills and putting the player into space as we headed into a must-win game against Cashmere. We new we needed to start well, and we did. An amazing team try early on set the tone for the game. The boys were high in confidence and stuck to our game plan which enabled us to control the game and score a number of good tries. Our star lineout jumper Jett Anglem had a great all round game, carrying and offloaded well, as well as making a number of strong defensive plays. A good 57-12 win puts us one step closer to the semi finals. Next week is another must-win game against Christ College.

Having no supporters was a surreal experience for the boys. Hopefully next week a crowd will be able to gather and support us once again. Very proud of how the boys performed yesterday and looking forward to the next week. Christian Ioane- Captain

U15B vs St. Thomas's "Red" lost 22-26

Tense moments in loss to St Thomas

Skipping nimbly through the St Thomas defence Jimmy Hastings made his two tries for St Bedes Under 15B look like child’s play in their competition match against St Thomas played on a perfect pitch in sunny spring conditions on Saturday. Holding a 22-7 lead with 10 minutes to go, St Bedes relaxed their grip and St Thomas set off on a scoring spree with three tries and a conversion within minutes of the end to win 26-22. The few spectators assembled outside the gates of St Bedes as part of the Covid-19 precautions, watched with anguish as St Bedes started to falter. St Thomas scored and converted the winning try in the 67th minute. St Bedes responded with a determined effort. They muscled their way 50 metres to the St Thomas line in the dying seconds - for a breath-taking moment they had a grasp on victory. But it was not to be. The ball was lost and St Thomas had won. It was all over. There were plenty of highlights with both Jayden Secker and Jake Dunn from St Bedes sweeping across the line for two copy book tries from smooth attacking movements mid-way through the first half. Blake Scott, the tight forward converted to second five, did what he does best and crashed through the opposition line while Josh Ashdowne and Jack Ward kept the pressure on with head down work in the mauls. Jack Dennehy Coles made valuable metres along with Layton Carr working off the foraging efforts of Sam McAfee. Lachlan Baird was tough and quick on the job of clearing the ball. Tackling in the first half was effective with Gem Inkster leading the charge but in the latter stages of the game St Thomas seemed to shimmy out of efforts to bring them down. Reo Maeda finally got his man in a determined tackle later in the second half. Wil Pattinson kicked the only conversion.

The final word came from coach James Burnside: ”It was a game we had chances to win right up to the end but we made mistakes and have to take the loss on the chin.” At least till next week!

U63kgs "Red" vs StAC U63kgs "White" won 14-12

The most disappointing thing about yesterday’s games was that only a couple of parents got to watch a great game of rugby. We knew we were playing one of the easier teams in our grade, but didn't know they were going to play the best game of their season (as quoted by their coach). It was an arm wrestle from go to wo, with StAC scoring first through hard running and a bit of average defence by us, and we went into half time 7 nil to them. We seemed a little panicked in our play and little mistake were costing us.

At half time we talked about finding some calmness, and trusting ourselves and our skills, and the importance of remaining positive no matter what the situation. Negativity never helps. The arm wrestle continued until Lachie Daily broke the line for a 50m run to score under the posts. Soon after we were again celebrating with Zander McCloy (playing his first game of the season due to injury and his first time in the backs) finishing off a great team try. Taylor Fahey then knocked the conversion over to put us 14 to 7 up with minutes to play. StAC then got awarded a penalty (that should have gone to us - but that’s rugby) and found us asleep to score, the urgency showed when we realised they had space kept the try scorer out wide, and they missed the conversion.

Play then restarted and we won a penalty, and time was up. We had learnt from our last game to tap the ball and then kick it out, however the kick didn’t make touch and they launched another attack, making for a rather stressful last minute. We managed to snaffle a turnover and get the ball out for a hard fought win.

U63kgs "Black" vs StAC U63kgs "Blue" won 29-21

Suns out guns out for the under 63kg Black team playing at home today. Top of the table clash was to be a highlight for players and parents alike, but COVID had our boys play with the lone voices of Luke DeRoo and Sam Lawry. A great ding-dong day on the paddock with tries scored by both teams alternatively. Hard working Christian Gilbert was the first to touch down after his great powerful running. Tries against us only came from some impatience at times from our team, and to STAC's credit they capitalised. Seth was back from concussion and it was obvious he missed playing, as he was solid in defence and blistering runs on the wing. He was rewarded with 2 tries in the sunshine today.The forwards set a great platform today and allowed our backs to use their speed and strength with Connor Stewart, and Finn O'Donnell scored solid tries.Winners are grinners and we won 29-21 in a very patient effort in the dying minutes. The Curly Connor Crosbie donned the Player of the day hat today with great running, and will take the shield home to drive past STAC everyday and give them a wee HOORAA!!!!

U14A vs St. Thomas's U14 lost 29-45

A big day for our boys vs a big St Thomas’ team. Five minutes in we were 12 nil down. However the boys worked hard to get points on the board and at half time it was 15-22 to the opposition. The 29-45 full time score doesn’t reflect all the good work we did. The boys should be looking forward to the next meeting where the score line will look a lot different. We missed our Whanau on the sideline and look forward to hopefully having you back next week. All the best to Finn Brook who got a bad head knock. take care

U14B vs Shirley BHS U14 won 53-31

The lads had a great game with Shirley at SBC No. 3. They had the edge on Shirley in the rucks and had plenty of good passing movements through the backs early on. The teams matched each other try for try and when Shirley scored with 15 minutes to go they led 31 to 29.
However the stags finished strongly and through good tactical kicking they forced opposition mistakes which helped them to score 3 tries in the last 10 minutes.
The stags came away with a good win 53 to 31 which will be great for their individual and team confidence. In the forwards captain Sol S (3 tries) was strong in the tackle and carry, George K had a strong first half taking the ball up, Daniel K protected the ball well in the ruck, and Matthew B and Hugo T had impactful games.

In the backs Joey K had a busy first half at halfback, with Logan H great on the break in that position in the second half, Kyle P (pod) directed play very well from 10, and Harry G and Lucas W were strong on both attach and defence. Well done the Fraser B who played well in his first game.

U58kgs "Red" vs "Black" (derby played on Friday 21st) Red won 55-3

Red:  The much anticipated clash with the SBC u58 Black side, was enjoyed by the smallest crowd of the season but did not disappoint. The team went into the game knowing that the result may have a significant bearing on the overall season and of course the playground bragging rights were also up for grabs. Predictably the game started with a genuine battle of attrition as both sides made great advances on the oppositions line only to be beaten back. The intensity of the game grew with some very brave and solid defence. Finally the deadlock was broken with an outstanding try wide out to Alex. Alex quickly followed this up with another following a great offload from Conner.The defences were broken and the Reds poured into the breach extending the margin to win 55-3. The game was played with great desire and this was proven by the number of sore bodies but big smiles at the final whistle.