St Bede's U65kg vs Shirley Boys' High School U65kg

In 2020 we operated two U65kg teams, one of which made the final, where it lost to St Andrew's in dramatic fashion after our first-five was injured early in the game. This year the four-team U65kg grade is again dominated by St Bede's and St Andrew's.  

Our team has shown admirable fortitude in coping with the fact that due to fixtures in the grade being moved into the afternoon part of the Saturday match roster our coaches are often not able to attend due to their own playing commitments. Similarly, developments with other teams required coaches to move to cover needs in our system. In this respect, the College is grateful to UC Sports Coaching Degree student Ben Kolmer, and St. Bede's student coaches Connor Selwood, Elliott Prendergast and Jem Lilburne for their unflappable approach and ongoing contribution. In the background, Katrina Knill has operated very effectively as a manager and Matt Tippen has stepped in to supplement and support the front-line management when appropriate.

Manager Katrina Knill

ēhara tāku toa i te toa takitahi ēngari he toa takitini – I come with my own strengths but bring with me the gifts, talents and strengths of my family, tribe and ancestors.

At the beginning of the season I nervously put my hand up to be a first time manager of a sporting team. I need not have worried though, as I have loved learning new skills while being supported by Mark Ealey and the parents’ of the boys – specifically, my husband Paul Knill, Matt Tippen, the Meates whānau and Ashley Newsome, my heartfelt thanks to you all for your help thus far. We currently have two wonderful coaches in Ben Kolmer and Connor Selwood and thanks to Elliott Prendergast for his contribution. The boys are well drilled and well disciplined – it is a pleasure to watch them gather, instruct, run warm-ups and talk game plan before the games. A pre-game prayer focus’ the mind and prepares the spirit for the game ahead. They are a team in all senses of the word, no man is left behind in drills and all are encouraged and encouraging. They play with great heart and are fiercely competitive on the pitch. The boys have a delightful mutual respect and admiration for each other that sees them bringing their best game each week for the team. Now, half way through the season, I am proud to be part of these young men’s rugby journey.

St Bede's vs Shirley BHS won 34-29

A perfect afternoon for rugby with a fierce rivalry developing between St Bede's and Shirley.

The game started with the boys playing all the rugby in the Shirley Boys' half, but from a knock on the Shirley team created an overlap on the outside and this gave their winger space to run from his own 22 to score under the posts. This was very much against the run of play but was a theme that developed over the course of the game. 

From the kick off, the boys took the ball through their forwards and made good ground, the momentum from this gave the backs the opportunity to move the ball through hands with James Goggin scoring. This tactic of keeping it tight for several phases then releasing the backs paid dividends and this quickly resulted in two further tries from Billy Lewis and Alfie Barclay. However, Shirley are dangerous when the ball is moved out to their backs, and they profited from more spilled ball running the length of the pitch to score. The game became a lot tighter in the second half and the teams traded tries with Connor McKey and Joey Pawson dotting down for St Bede's. When St Bede's held onto the ball they easily pinned Shirley in their 22, however our mistakes were punished.

With the game drawing to its conclusion Billy Lewis scored to put St Bede's into the lead. Sadly a serious injury to a Shirley player caused the game to be closed a little early.

The last outing between these two teams was a very one sided match for St Bede's, this time Shirley showed what they can do when they have the ball and the boys played well to nudge out the win.