St Bede’s College 1st XV v Christ’s College 1st XV

At 2:45pm on Saturday 21st May at St Bede’s.

Round Three of the Miles Toyota 1st XV Championship 2022

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Recent history St Bede’s record against Christ’s:

• 2021: Won by 23 v 16; and lost by 23 v 26 (in Championship Semi-final)

• 2020: Won by 22 v 10

• 2019: Won by 20 v 15

• 2018: Lost by 17 v 23; and lost by 23 v 24 (in Championship Semi-final)

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Christ’s College:

• Founded 1850

• Motto: Bene tradita, bene servanda; (Good traditions, Well maintained)

• Roll: 640

• Miles Toyota Championship:

Semi-finalist: 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2019

Runner-up: 2001, 2018, 2021

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St Bede’s College:

• Founded 1911

• Motto: Fide et Opere; (By Faith and By Works)

• Roll: 800+

• Miles Toyota Championship:

Semi-finalist: 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Runner-up: 2007, 2012

Champions: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015

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Points of interest:

• The first game between Bede’s and Christ’s College was played in 1921 with Christ’s winning 19-3. The St Bede’s College 1st XV prior to 1921 was not considered of sufficient quality to play Christ’s College. In truth, having few enrolled at St Bede’s and being located on a small site in Ferry Road made playing rugby difficult. Post the school’s relocation to Papanui, the debut of the 1st XV in 1920 was not auspicious. The team travelled to Lyttelton and was greeted by a hailstorm. After only 10 minutes the only available rugby ball was kicked into the harbour. It could not be recovered and the game was abandoned. The team played in the open third - every game was lost.

• But within a few years, in 1923, St Bede’s had a team that the other colleges were forced to take seriously. They defeated Christ’s 10-3 and also CBHS (teams considered to be the best in the country of that era). The 1923 Bede’s team also hammered St Andrew’s by such a margin that their coach called the game off early. In Wellington they also beat St Patrick’s for the first time.

• However, subsequently in the years to 1960’s St Bede’s only managed to again defeat Christ’s infrequently – winning again in 1927, 1931, 1939, 1943, 1945, 1949, 1955 and 1959. That changed during the 1960’s with St Bede’s winning five in a row, which was immediately matched by Christ’s from 1966-70.

• Matches in the 1970’s were generally tight with three matches ending drawn. The biggest wins of the decade were St Bede’s 19-0 winners in 1975 and Christ’s 21-6 in 1976.

• Through the 1980’s and 1990’s the two colleges were well matched in terms of wins – with St Bede’s having the advantage in the eighties and Christ’s in the nineties. There were some special teams from both colleges throughout this period. And in 1983 the two sides played at Lancaster Park as the curtain raiser to the sold-out Lions v Canterbury match. St Bede’s won 14-4 and went on to become the first St Bede’s 1st XV to go on to the National Top 4. A feat they also matched the next year, in 1984. In 1985 it was Christ’s that produced an unbeaten championship winning team.

• By the end of the 2000’s St Bede’s produced truly dominant teams. They went undefeated in 62 games against all-comers at home, whilst setting numerous other records and were consistently one of the best 1st XVs in the country. In the games this century between Bede’s and Christ’s, Bede’s have won 70% of the 25 played, including the longest winning streak between the two teams - 16 consecutive matches.

• But Christ’s have had a change in approach in terms of building 1st XVs since 2016 and have become stronger winning 5 of the last 8 games played between the two schools. In the process they have become a regular Championship semi-finalist, only missing out in 2020. In two semi-finals during this period, they have defeated Bede’s. Including last season when Christ’s as the number 4 seed stunned Bede’s and denied them a spot in the final. Bede’s was the No.1 seed having won the Championship league round robin and established the best points differential of any team in recent years within the current championship competition format. The team had a strong nucleus of boys who had played together successfully through the grades to the extent that for many their last ever game for Bede’s also coincided with their first ever loss to Christ's in a rugby match throughout their years at school. Such can be modern school sport.

• But 2022 is another year and will see another chapter written come Saturday…