9 wins 4 losses (including 1 derby match)

1st XV vs Mid-Canterbury Combined Schools won 62-19

2nd XV vs Shirley BHS 2nd XV won 55-7 

In our final Round Robin game against Shirley Boys we extended our unbeaten record and secured the seasons holding rights for the JAB U18 Challenge Shield with our 55-7 win.
Our ability to move the ball quickly with accuracy ensured a possession advantage throughout the game, and it was just a matter of finding the gaps as we averaged a try every seven minutes in the first half. It was great to see Iwan Williams back in action, and his try from scooping up the loose ball was a great piece of work. Lorenzo Lelli once again put on a demonstration of his power running with three tries in the first half.
At the break we led 31-nil and after several weeks where comfortable leads had been eroded in the second half, the coaches' message was to come out and score first to knock the wind out of Shirley. Whilst we did this, Shirley were able to respond with a solitary try and conversion following a break from 40m out. It would be all they added to the scoreboard in the second half, as we extended our score by 24 points.
Whilst last week we farewelled Valentin Gomez-Fornasari, this week saw the last game for Lorenzo Lelli our other valued Argentinian player. Lorenzo has been a powerhouse for our team at No. 8 and has been a key figure in our ability to break the line and add points. It has been a pleasure to have him as part of our squad and as a Bedean, and we wish him buena suerte, hasta la vista Lorenzo.
Player of the Day: Ben Shipley

Tries: Tom Arscott, Sam Hemingson-White, Lorenzo Lelli 3, Oliver Lyons, Ben Shipley , Iwan Williams, Ollie LyonsConversions: Tom Arscott 1, Matt Boyle 4

3rd XV vs Christchurch BHS U18 "Blue" won 29-27

A hard fought win against a very motley and stacked CBHS team. A promising start by the team was matched by silly mistakes and a lack of cohesion within the team. The game never really got any flow due to the many stoppages from the ref as he tried to control the opposition. Brilliant patches of individual play from our team kept us in the game as we battled our own mistakes and the rolling subs and ill-discipline of CBHS. In the first half we were able to dictate the flow and spent most of the half inside their 22m but poor choices did stop us from taking control of the scoreboard. The second half was no better although the arrival of many new players for the opposition did mean they had more quality on the field and made us pay for our lacklustre play at times. Next week is the semi-final against St Thomas College so that will be a test of our game.

U16A vs Christ's College U16A won 85-5

Today the young men played CC out the back of St Bede’s. We started the game a bit slow but once the team got a roll on they won comfortably. The match was called off with 20min remaining. The men played some great team rugby with sweeping attacks the length of the field and going through numerous hands before the try was scored and converted at the other end .

Well done men on the win, a great positive attitude to the game was shown and we spoke during the week and in match about controlling the controllable’s, so well done. A congrats to the three men in our team who played their final on Monday night for league and won with an undefeated season. Onward to the semis which are one-off games so we need to prepare well this week and go back to work to achieve our goals. Thanks to our supportive team on the side-line which contributes to the team on and off the field especially our talented cameraman Stijn. Lastly well done to Judah and Dave and the Under 16B’s for a great win on Saturday also.

U16B vs Merivale Papanui won 29-27

On a sunny afternoon the U16B boys played Merivale Papanui Cobras for an epic showdown. Bede's were an offensive force from the jump and constantly threatened the Cobras try line until they scored. We were also defensively sound and regularly applied pressure that halted the flow of Merivale Papanui's back line forcing them to play a forward game. Though not perfect Bedes made valiant efforts to meet at the point of contact with the much bigger Cobras and assert dominance at the breakdown. Given possession is a factor for victory Bede's made this a major focus. By the end the first half Bedes scored three tries and had a firm lead. Second half was more challenging as the Cobras upped their pace and were more physical than anticipated. However, Bede's met this challenge and fought back at every ruck and scrum which paid off. The U16B boys active meddling at the breakdown slowed the Cobras pace even after they scored a well earned try. In the last three minutes Bede's mettle was tested as the Cobras skilled thirteen scored in what seemed to be an impossible situation. Nonetheless Bedes responded in kind by pushing the ball down field while tired albeit with fluidity and zeal eventually forcing a penalty goal from the twenty-two on the last play of the game. Henri Webster stepped to the tee, set-up slightly to the left, paused and took a clean swipe at the ball as everyone watched. It then proceeded to hit both goal post before dropping over and securing our win 29-27 over a team we'd struggled against previously. It also provided a memorable moment the U16B Bedeans will remember for ages.

U15A vs Shirley BHS U15A lost 24-39

U15B vs St. Thomas's U15 "Red" lost 29-32

St Bedes Under 15B showed their winning potential in a narrow 32-29 loss to St Thomas at the St Thomas sports ground in warm and near perfect conditions on Saturday. They tackled, broke the line and held the lead for most of the game before St Thomas inched their way back levelling at 29-all and tipping the scales with a penalty goal in the final minutes of the game.

A St Bedes surge over the line to get back in the lead from a last-minute penalty was unsuccessful. St Thomas gained the initial edge with a try in the opening minute to lead briefly before St Bedes winger Dong Shin shimmied down the sideline for a try. St Thomas responded with a further converted try to take the lead 14-5 just eight minutes into the game.

And then St Bedes hit their straps. Tauvale Thomas Aupa’au ran in for the first of his two tries off a pass by Gem Inkster who in turn scored an excellent try converted by Will Pattinson to give St Bedes a 17-14 lead at half-time

Inkster scored again in the opening minutes of the second half for Pattinson to convert and St Bedes took a 24-17 lead. St Thomas crept back with a penalty and a converted try to lead 29-24 with nine minutes to go.

Tauvale responded using his skills and speed to break the St Thomas line with a scorching try after receiving from hard working Blake Scott. St Bedes looked to be in charge at 29-all with just minutes to go when St Thomas was awarded a penalty and took their match winning 32-29 lead.

There were plenty of good performances within St Bedes. The total team showed the benefit of rigorous tackling practice imposed by Coach James Burnside to neutralise the St Thomas attack. They also demonstrated a greater sense of urgency as they got stuck in with a determination to win.

Dong Shin and fellow wing Reo Maeda featured to place the St Thomas defence under pressure while Quinton Rattray stood out with strong running along with William McIntyre who showed his power in the tight.

Half back Lachlan Baird stitched up the loose patches with tidy play around the scrums and mauls for a good showing. The rugby was intense and St Bede's just missed out on what would have been a well-deserved win.

U63kgs Red vs StAC U63kgs "White" lost 24-58

We went down to St Andrews White. They were expected to win, and the boys put up a great fight to be down 19 to 10 at half time. Mitchell Murtha scored a beautiful wingers try with a nicely timed in and away to beat the full back. We were a bit unlucky to let them score just after half time and it continued to be a good contest up till 3/4 time, when we just went off the boil for 5 mins and let them in for 3 tries. Lachie Daly then stormed through them for a try to us in full time. Player of the day went to Finn Gavigan for some outstanding Rick turnovers. We ended up on 14 points, even with Christ’s college, but we had 3 wins and they only had 2 so we slipped into 4th place and secured ourselves a semi final spot.

U63kgs Black vs CBHS U63kgs Won 60-5

With only three weeks of rugby left, and semi-finals looming, our boys brought out their "A game" today. Playing CBHS at home to secure top spot in the semis. A try-fest with great off-loads, strong running and good support play allowed our team run at will, and score from anywhere on the park. Only one team in the whole game, and our boys were victors 60 to 5. You know when your team is playing well when the opposition coach mentioned to me at full-time, that some of our boys should be playing 15A's. Will Arscott received PoD today by listening to the coaches instructions and showing great forward play. Honestly though, the whole team deserved it! Congratulations to Finn O'Donnell and Connor Stewart both getting a hat trick of tries!! 

U14A vs Kaiapoi RFC U15 won 93-0

U14B vs CBHS U14 "Black" won 79-24

The Stags put on their best performance of the season with a big win against CBHS. The boys were focused and on the ball from kick off and had scored 5 tries at the 30 minute mark.
The forwards out-muscled the big Boys' High pack and were strong in the rucks and scrums (getting 2 tightheads). The backs passed well and ran with pace.The game opened up in the second half and the lads scored some excellent tries. Three boys scored their first tries of the season.
The final score was 79 to 24 to SBC, and the best of the forwards were George K (pod), Ollie W and Hugo T (23 points). The best of the backs were Zac P, Kyle P and Kelby S had some good moments. After a few tough games the stags have had 3 wins in a row and are finishing the season strongly, and are showing the benefit of some excellent coaching. 

U58kgs "Red" vs SBC U58kgs "Black" won 47-14

U58kgs "Black" vs SBC U58kgs "Red" lost 14-47

A derby match on the No.1 field; can't get much better than that. The boys showed a lot of promise in the first quarter of the game with us holding possession and managing to get out to a 14-5 lead. The class of the SBC Red team showed as they strung together some well-worked tries making the scoreline 33-14. The second half proved to be back and forth battle with no trues through 20 mins of the second half. Some promise shown by our side just being met with equally strong defence meant we were unable to score in the second half. The end score getting away from us being 47-14. Overall there were some good things to take away but also some work-ons for training this week. Player of the day was Nathan.