U75kgs "Red" vs "Black" won by Red 57-14

The U75kgs Grade "Red" vs "Black" derby game, like all fixtures between St. Bede's teams, is always a well-contested match. The "Red" team is more senior in terms of average age, but the "Black" team looses nothing to them on the scale of typical "St. Bede's ticker" - they are tenacious and determined to prove a point. This makes for a fascinating contest whenever they meet. In addition, the U75kgs grade sees the ball move beyond channel one more than is the case in the open grades. As a result, it is very entertaining rugby to watch. This latest derby was no exception. 

Black review: A tough game for the boys today! U75kg Black played well in the first half with the forwards lifting their performance from last week, protecting their ball, and finishing off some great movements ending the first half only slightly behind the opposition. A few standouts worth mentioning are the straight hard running by prop come centre Henry Prior and lock Mitchell Murtha scoring a couple of fantastic tries!

U75kg Black started the second half well with some great individual efforts, but we lacked a little cohesion and gave the U75kg Red outside backs too much room and the game got away from us.

We’ve had a solid performance year to date, let’s all try and get to practice over the next couple of weeks and tidy up a few loose ends.

Enjoy the weekend, How good were the Crusaders!

Red review: The U75kg Red team having experienced tight derby games in the past knew they’d be in for another tough fixture.

The opening ten minutes were played at a furious pace. The Red team were guilty of trying to force things and solid defence by the Black team forced a number of errors. Eventually a well worked move created some space outside for Connor Stewart to score an unconverted try. The Black team then enjoyed a period of pressure playing some well structured rugby and going through 10-12 phases on a few occasions. This really stretched the Red team defence and they scored a converted try to take a 7-5 lead. The Red team were then able to work their way up the field and a well executed move off the back of a scrum allowed Max Hammett to pick a great line and score a converted try under the posts for a 12-7 lead. The Red team were then able to work another move off a scrum and Harvey Scott took advantage of a hole that opened up to score another converted try and stretch the lead to 19-7. The Black team managed to hit back and continued to stretch the defence with some patient phase play and made a number of line breaks which led to them scoring another converted try to narrow the gap to 19-14. The Red team regrouped and with some patience were able to score another unconverted try before halftime and take a 10 point lead into the break.

The half-time talk highlighted the fact that the team knew they were in a tough game against probably the best side they’d faced this season. The players discussed trusting their game plan and being patient. This showed in the second half where they were able to take control of the game. The lineout once again proved to be a great platform for the team to attack from, with Elijah Butts and Ollie Meates producing some quality ball for the backs. The Red team were able to score a number of tries through continuity and patience in attack, which included one spectacular finish by Connor Stewart in the corner. Although the score line ran away towards the end and the match finished 57-14, this didn’t really reflect how tight the contest had been in the first half and how hard the team had to work. The Red team will now head into next week looking to avenge the only loss of their season to a Boys' High team they know they are capable of beating.

Black team players of the day:

Back - Reo Maeda; Overall - Mitchell Murtha; Forward - Joseph Kilworth

U75kgs Red Coach James Burnside: "I learnt and played my rugby in England, initially at school, then university and through to senior clubs in the English national leagues. I began my playing days as an openside flanker and then as my pace slowed and my waist grew, I transitioned to the front row and plied my trade at hooker. I began my coaching career with school sides in England and have really enjoyed coaching the U15B and then U75kg teams at St Bede’s over the last four seasons. I also have the misfortune of being a long suffering supporter of the Leicester Tigers, but have been enjoying their resurgence this season."

U75kgs Red coach Ethan Trouten-Fraher: "Ethan is a current student at the University of Canterbury pursuing a career in the sporting world. He is an old boy of the College and is in his second year of coaching the u75kg grade. Favourite memory of playing rugby for St. Bedes was winning the competition with Dave Litten as my coach in 2015."

U75kgs Red coach Jack Gay: "Jack is a UC Sports Coaching degree student originally from Wanganui. He is still playing senior rugby at flanker and offers his expertise in the area of structure within attack shape."

U75kgs Red manager Julian Meates: "Julian is an old boy of St. Bede's. He has coached our underweight teams in recent years and this year has switched to manager. He keeps alive the Meates family tradition of contributing to St. Bede's rugby." 

U75kgs Black Coach Ben Kolmer: "I'm a Christchurch BHS old boy. and am the forwards coach of the U75kg black team. I’ve been a footy coach for about 6 years. This is my second year coaching at Bede's. I love some up-the-guts footy. To me enjoying the game is just as good as winning."

U75kgs Black Coach Josh Thomas: "I am the backs coach in the U75 Black team. I am an old boy of Christchurch Boys' High School and am currently completing a Bachelor of Sports Coaching at the University of Canterbury. I am passionate about winning, but I also seek enjoyment from the boys getting stuck in and having fun on the field". 

U75kgs Black Manager Katrina Knill:

"Ko Matariki te whetu he arataki e, haere mai i rungā, I te aroha, kia manawanui, kia rangimārie. The stars of Matariki will guide you in all things. Come in love, be patient, be at peace.

Following on from a very enjoyable season managing last year's U65kg team I could not say no to the suggestion to manage many of the same rangatahi again in this year's U75kg grade. Again, I merely support the great work of our two coaches, Ben Kolmer and Josh Thomas. Many parents in the team step up when needed to lend a helping hand, which I appreciate greatly. The lads are keen to do their best as individuals for the team and as a team to be competitive. It is a pleasure to be part of these young men’s rugby journey."