2nd XV vs CBHS 3rd XV won 15-10

A fine but blustery day which saw every lineout occur on the same sideline. After a close loss to this team in the preseason it was good to match up so well against them here in Round 1. There were periods of the fame where the team was dominant, yet too often that ascendancy was not converted into points.The team played into a cross breeze in the first half, and did well to keep most of the play in CBHS' half. There were at least two occasions where the team go into a position which should have resulted in a try, and yet small but critical errors more than a stout defence held them out. At halftime neither side had claimed ascendancy and the score was a relatively uninspiring 0-0. The message at the break was for the team to sharpen up the carry/clean out area and use the wind advantage to camp in their zone. 

The team responded well to the advice and experienced by far the best passage of the game where they scored three unconverted tries in the spam of just 12 minutes. Here was the hinge point; the team could continue to apply pressure, stay focused and run away with the game, or they could relax and allow CBHS into the game. 

Unfortunately, the team did not take advantage of being on top and CBHS finished the game with two tries to flatter the scoreline. Ultimately, the message to the team was that it is a positive to come away with a win having only played to about 60% capacity. There is significant room for growth in both the area of the physical skill set and in the mindset and attitude. 

Coach Callum Wilson: Callum is a very experienced coach in our system, having coached the 2nd XV for a total of 8 years.

Coach Mpho Mbiyizo:

"My main role is with the backs and to help with attack. There are some really good quality boys in the team. The beauty of it is that some of them are still young and still have another year at school, so they have got a good chance of putting their hands up for the 1st XV next year. My role is to help up-skill them as much as I can. It's been an enjoyable season so far. We've won a lot games, which is always a bonus. But the really pleasing thing to see is the growth of the boys and their willingness to learn and accept knowledge from a different person."

(Mpho was a member of the South African Sevens team, known as the Blitzbokke, from 2006 until 2009 when he was their captain. He played Super Rugby for the Southern Kings and scored a try against the 2009 British and Irish Lions. Mpho is now Belfast RFC senior coach and RDO.)

Coach Kyle Byers: Kyle was 3rd XV coach in 2021 and 1st XV co-coach with Murray Henderson in 2018. As a player he played in the midfield for Nelson Bays from 1990-1994, Wellington from 1995-1997 and the NZ Divisional Team in 1995. Kyle also played overseas in Germany and Japan. He is now also a St. Bede's parent. 

Manager Simon Cooper: "I've been managing the 2nd XV for a total of five years. Before that, I was involved with various other teams, including the U15As.

I love working with the senior group of boys in the 2nd XV because of the excitement that exists around pathways and opportunities. By that I mean either making it to the 1st XV or getting into teams beyond that, making Colts teams in clubs. That all contributes to a real air of challenge and positivity. With regard to the team, I've been very impressed in the last 2-3 years with the talent we've had in the 2nd XV, which led to a very successful season last year. I'm confident it'll be much the same this year. The skill-set of the boys and their general fitness and conditioning is getting better every year - something I put down to the systems that the Rugby Club and the College have put in place."