1st XV: Won 31-3 vs St. Andrew’s College

(Last round-robin game, home semi-final vs CBHS next Saturday)

Both St. Bede’s and St. Andrew’s came into this game needing to win to ensure their places in the Top Four. Conditions were always going to dictate the way the game was played. St. Bede’s started well, maintaining possession and position with good tactical kicking and a structured plan of attack. They were rewarded with an early penalty to Kynan Stowers-Smith and then scored a well-taken try to Justin Evans that was converted from the sideline by Kynan. St. Andrew’s scored a penalty of their own to make the half time score 10-3. The game was always going to be decided by the team that scored next. St. Andrew’s camped on the St. Bede’s line but were unable to break through the determined Bede’s defence. This proved to be a turning point. The next 30 minutes were dominated by St. Bede’s as they made good use of the wind to pin St. Andrews deep in their own half. Tries to Tadeo Andriani, Isaac Cotter and another special effort from Eto Bainivalu all converted by Kynan secured a 31-3 win. The bonus point win meant that St. Bede’s finished the competition in second place and set up a home semi-final against Christchurch Boys’ and dropped St. Andrew’s out of the Top Four for the first time since round one of the UC Championship.

U16A: Won 12-5 vs CBHS U16 “B” (Championship semi-final)

It is said that rain is a great leveller in rugby and that was absolutely true for our semi-final game against CBHS b. We played them last week, and with a reduced squad came away with a pretty convincing win. Yesterday was completely different!

CBHS came out firing and defended with vigour shutting us down, and forcing errors which fed them back possession. In a game where owning the ball was key, we didn’t do enough to protect it for long periods which didn’t let us get into our pattern. A forward lead try to CBHS put us on the back foot and we began to chase the game. We were a bit guilty of trying too hard and pushing things that weren’t on, especially considering the conditions. A re-group at halftime galvanised the boys and focussed them on the task at hand. Wave after wave of attack was thwarted by CBHS until a strong barge over by Will Sparrow resulted in our first try which was ably converted by Charlie Stenberg. Taking the lead for the first time in the game re-energised the boys and they continued to attack. A further try to Tom Shamy with 5 minutes to play gave us some breathing room but a concerted defensive effort sealed the win. We are all so proud of the grit and determination shown by every member of the team and we look forward to a final showdown next weekend. Our two Pink Hat Performers were our try scorers, Tom Shamy and Will Sparrow. Well done to everyone.

U15A: Lost 10-11 vs CBHS U15 “A” (Championship semi-final)

U15 Red: Won 26-5 vs Rangiora HS “Gold” (Plaque semi-final)

U15 Black: Won 34-5 vs Hornby Vikings (Section 4 final)
It was always going to be a tough game. At half time, we were down 7-5, with one try a piece. The second half saw the boys stretch it out, scoring 7 tries, with Ashton Haigh converting 3 of them, on a day where the ball wouldn’t stay on the tee. The boys backed each other and held their composure in the most atrocious of conditions. Well done for collecting the plaque boys!

U14A: Lost 17-19 vs CBHS U14 “A” (Championship semi-final)

The young men made it to the final of the Under 14 Section 1 against CBHS. Weather conditions were true winter rugby , with both teams the top two teams in the grade. As we had said during the week we had given our selves another opportunity to play .
Throughout the year the team has evolved into a fine group of Bedeans who have improved consistently as a team and individually .
They have done this with the right attitude to complement their abilities, as the season has unfolded they have developed belief and turned into "Bedesmen."
The team enjoyed working for each other and good things were rewarded to them through the season for their efforts.
We went down to CBHS with a full length try under the sticks to put CBHS ahead by two ,they hung onto this lead to beat us . The team played from the first whistle until the final , playing to structure but also having the ability to play what is in front of them which is an important part to the team’s success this year.
The result hurt for the team but if it didn’t hurt it would not have meant anything, the young men carried themselves with humility after the match and were a credit to their parents , school and especially themselves.
The team would like to thank all our supporters throughout the year for their positive feedback from the sideline and involvement in the team . This was an important part of the team ,we tried to be inclusive not exclusive, so supporters heard all what was said prior and post-game .
As coaches we were there helping them to learn rather than teaching them . This way we hope to unlock the players and teams potential to maximise their own performance.
As a team we would like to wish all other sporting teams in the school that make finals all the best and be proud of your own and the teams performances to making it to the finals.
Thank you to Rachel our manager who kept all parties in line and on time and Gerry our coach for his guidance throughout the season

U14B: Won 66-17 vs CC U14 “Blue” (Plaque Section 2 Final)

St. Bede’s U14B displayed flashes of brilliance and strong team work to beat Christchurch Boys’ High School 66-17 in the divisional final at Burnside Park on Saturday.

From the jump out when talented No. 8 Joshua Hamer cut open the CBHS defence to score barely two minutes into the first half, St. Bede’s took control of the game.

A second Josh try, two from Darryl Harris and one try by Noah Barrett rocketed St. Bede’s into a strong 27-5 half-time lead.

Rain, cold and a slippery paddock did not deter St. Bede’s who came out to head off a second half CBHS revival with further tries from Josh and Noah and two further tries apiece by Rheubyn Hunter and Jimmy Hastings.

Robust supporting play and hard work by the forwards in tough conditions against a determined CBHS pack provided the platform for success.

Hard-hitting tackles from Gem Inkster helped suppress efforts by CBHS to mount counter attacks.

The final whistle was a moment of celebration for a team of players bonded together by early hardship and success in the most difficult conditions. Their final win came just two days after battling an elite Marlborough Under14 A inter school team – there was no way the S.t Bede’s U14B team were going to be beaten by CBHS.

The winning performance against CBHS was a tribute to the grit displayed by the players and their trio of student coaches.

U58kgs “Red” vs “Black” Won 24-12 by Red (Championship Semi-final)

Yesterday’s semi-final was another great example of a fight between mates. Both teams clearly wanted to win, and both teams put everything they had into it.
Obviously the conditions were horrendous and ultimately the game was won because Red had the wind in the second half, and used it well.
Right from the kick-off Black were on attack and maintained constant pressure before cracking the defence and scoring under the posts after 10 mins. Red the returned the favour by maintaining the ball into the wind and it was locked up 7 all at quarter time.
They then bashed each other up with black scoring again right on half time making it 12 to 7 at half time.
The easterly definitely got stronger as the game progressed and the repeated long ranging kicks made it tough for black to launch attacks as they were generally deep inside their own half. They came close a few times, but as soon as they made a mistake and Red got the ball it was downtown and they had to start over again.
We said to the boys that the games was going to be won by the team that made the least mistakes, and in the second half Blacks mistake ended up being more costly due to field position. Red scored 3 tries in the second half and kicked a penalty to end up with the reverse score of when the two teams last played each other of 24-12.
It was unfortunate that we weren’t playing each other in the final, which will be Red vs Burnside. The talent in the two teams, combined with what is playing in the under 14 open grade bodes very well for the next few years of St. Bede’s rugby.

Good luck to both teams, you have worked hard all season to get here and both teams definitely deserve their top 4 spots.