Finally some respite from the recent wet weather

1st XV vs St. Thomas of Canterbury College (semi-final) won 20-15

Our 1st XV always knew this game was going to be a huge challenge. St Thomas’ were the top team at the end of pool play which meant that we were drawn to play them as the 4th ranked team. There was a quiet confidence within our team however that, possibly, we had progressed more as a team since our opening round loss to STC 31-19.

Predictably, STC attacked strongly in the first half, dominating possession and territory to take a 10-8 lead into the second half.

The second half saw our team produce a more composed performance. They improved the territory/possession statistics and that resulted in 2 SBC tries. Ben Trillo’s goal kicking was also crucial to the final score. It must be noted that the defensive work of the team in both halves was outstanding in the face of STC ball carriers that have been dominant throughout the competition.

Full time 20-15 to SBC

Tries: Ben Trillo 2, Suliasi Faiva. Conversions: Ben Trillo 1. Penalties: Ben Trillo 1.

Outside back Conor Crosbie was awarded his Cap today for 12 games and Riley Lucas returning from injury was awarded his Black Tassle for 25 games.

In an interesting call, Head Coach Daniel Winchester decided not to choose a Man of the Match, instead concluding the whole team should be congratulated for meeting the significant challenge this game represented. This pundit however, needs to mention the heroic defence of 1st 5 Flynn Bainbridge who repeatedly chopped down the strong opposition ball carriers.

The Origin Award went to a player that has been on the injury list for well over a month. Riley Lucas was welcomed back into the starting line up and his contribution was significant on both attack and defence.

The team was relieved that there were no major injuries in what was, without doubt, the most bruising game of the season. Stalwart openside and Vice-Captain George Gunn took a heavy blow but the team's medical crew are confident he should be available for next week’s final.

Nelson College will have been delighted with our win as it gifts them a home final. They are a team that it is always difficult to beat at home but our team’s win over the top-ranked pool team will have given them some pause for thought. Our team is understandably in good spirit and is eager to travel north at the end of next week.

2nd XV vs Cashmere HS won 41-5

The team kept on its winning ways today beating a Cashmere team languishing at the bottom of the table. It was not completely smooth sailing however, as the halftime score was a modest 14-0 thanks to two tries to back William Thwaites. Most watching the game would agree we looked the dominant side, but some loose play cost us opportunities to score.After the break the team started ok, but some loose play allowed Cashmere into prime attacking position and they scored to make it 14-5. At this point the game was getting too close for comfort. Fortunately, for the remainder of the half, after getting the points scored on us, the team went from strength to strength. Both forwards and backs began carrying and cleaning out more effectively. The wider options which we went to too quickly earlier on were suddenly working because the team had earned the right to go wide with some work in closer. The final 15mins of the game saw us completely take control of the game and it was clear the players were really enjoying running with the ball. It was the best we have played since the extended break and, with just one game till finals, it was great to get some momentum moving forward. 

3rd XV vs Burnside U18 won 27-19

The 3rds entered this game needing a win to stay in the hunt for a semi final place. The team had trained well all week and they did a great job at organizing and running their pre match preparation. The game kicked off and ebbed and flowed around the middle of the field with neither team able to establish much pressure on the opposition line. The St Bedes set piece was working well - as it has done all season - and the defence was doing a good job of bringing down the big Burnside ball runners. In the 18th minute our team made a good concerted drive towards the opposition line and Cohen Pinfold made a strong dash for the try. Burnside then scored after a messy passage of play and kick ahead. Bede's then made another push into the opposition 22 and Josh Macdonald went over in the corner. The half finished with Burnside getting an intercept try to take the halftime lead 12 to 10. The second half followed a similar pattern to the first half and eventually Burnside scored after a charge down to increase their lead. The Bedes supporters and coaches were getting nervous on the sideline but there was plenty of time left. The Bedes forwards began to take the ascendancy in the last quarter and Josh Macdonald scored again, converted by Caleb Stevens. Another attack with some good inter-passing saw the speedy Flynn Martin score from 20m out. At this time the Burnside discipline dropped (with 2 boys sent to the sin bin) whilst our players kept their composure and discipline. A penalty out in front was converted by Caleb Stevens for St Bede's to take the game 27 to 19. It was a great last quarter from our young men who showed excellent self belief and fortitude to come back from 9 points down midway through the second half. Another must win game beckons next Saturday...Tries: Cohen Pinfold, Josh Macdonald (2) and Flynn Martin. Conversions: Caleb Stevens 2. Penalties: Caleb Stevens 1. Forward of the day - Solomon Spanton. Back of the day - Noah Allison. Player of the day - Josh Macdonald. 

4th XV won by default vs Hillmorton HS U18

U75kgs "Black" vs CBHS U75kgs "Black" won 27-25

The sun was shining and it was soft under foot as the St Bede's Under 75 kg Black team ran out to face a fired up Boys' High Black team on the No 1 field at St Bede's.

The fired up chants from both teams before the match set the scene for a great tussle.

Boys' High had early possession and territory which lead to an early try at the 5 min mark which was not converted.

Two quick penalties allowed St Bede's to push into Boys' High territory for the first time at 11 minute mark.

The St Bede's call to take a penalty scrum on the 20m line was a good one, with a clever move off the base of the scrum leading to great individual try reminiscent of Zinzan Brooke by the number 8 Billy Lewis. Guy Sherry converted to take the score to 7-5.

A couple of penalties to Boys' High led to 5 mins of sustained attack resulting in a good Boys' High try which was converted – the score board reading 7-10, 18 minutes gone. St Bede's immediately responded with a great whole team effort leading to Luke Norton at second five crossing the line for a great unconverted try at the 23 minute mark – 12-10 to St Bede's. Boys' High immediately launched another sustained attack for the next 10 minutes which the St Bede's men defended well.

St Bede's then went on the attack and were rewarded with another team effort try, with Guy Sherry touching down in the corner – making a tough conversion attempt which was close but missed. This left the score at 17-10 to St Bede's with 5 minutes in the half remaining. Boys' High came back hard leading up to the half time whistle, but St Bedes held them out to go into the break 17-10 up.

St Bede's kicked off the second half and kept pressing Boys' High hard for the next 5 minutes which was only relieved by a penalty to Boys High. Boys' High then attacked hard spending 10 minutes inside 30m of the St Bede's tryline but tenacious defence kept them out. No quarter was given by either side over the next 15 mins with Bedes keeping Boys' High in their own half.

Boys' High broke out of their own half, then a good charge down off a St Bede's kick and an unfortunate bounce of the ball lead to a Boys' High try which was converted levelling the scores at 17 a piece. Immediately there was another sustained attacked from Boys' High was rewarded with an unconverted try.

St Bede's responded with a good backline try from an attacking scrum with James Goggin touching down for an unconverted try levelling the scores again at 22 all. A penalty kick in front of the posts gave Boys' High the lead 22-25 with 2 minutes to go.

St Bede's were unfazed - the forwards recovering the ball off the re-start. Dominic Knill took a quick tap from an off side penalty to dot down for an unconverted try on the full time whistle giving St Bede's the win 27-25.

A hard fought well deserved win, with the St Bede's team showing good discipline in a tight match, big heart in defence and a never give up attitude they can be proud of.

U75kg Black PoD Forward Joey Kilworth, general Logan Rochford and back Luke Norton

U75kgs "Red" vs St. Andrew's U75kgs won 38-19

The U75kg Red went in to the game against St Andrew’s looking to improve on a shaky performance from the week before. Injuries and illness left the squad depleted and required some of the team playing out of position.

In near perfect conditions and on a great surface both sides showed a lot of intent. St Bede’s struck first with a well worked move off a scrum leading to Max Hammett scoring a converted try under the posts. St Andrew’s then enjoyed a period of pressure and scored a well taken unconverted try. Both sides threatened and a great offload by Elijah Butts put a delighted Ronan Davidson through to score what was his first try for St Bede’s in five seasons of rugby. Shortly afterwards a line break by Harvey Scott and good support line by Max Hammett led to another try to stretch the lead. St Andrew’s continued to threaten out wide and some good running from their back three resulted in a converted try and a halftime score of 19-12.

With only two substitutes on the bench the team had to dig deep. The early part of the second half was very even but the deadlock was broken when captain Nick Read who had missed an entire week of school through illness, but rose like Lazarus on match day, broke through several tackle for an unconverted score. Shortly after this Max Hammett put in a well weighted chip and gathered the ball to complete a hat trick. With illness and injury taking its toll the backline was reshuffled with Dan Bailey taking to the wing and Dong Shin to centre. St Andrew’s added another well taken try but the match finished with a pacy break by Christian Gilbert and excellent finish by prop Elijah Butts in the corner for a final converted try to leave the score at 38-19.

The team have now finished top of the round robin stage and have earned a well needed bye weekend before a semi final on the 27th.

U15 "Blue" the bye

U15 "White" vs CBHS "Black" lost 12-29

Tough day at the office. U15 White played a well prepared Boys' High team. We managed to get a team together at the last minute thanks to the amazing SBC rugby community coming together and the commitment of players from other teams to come and help out. We started well and held off some strong Boys' High attack. We were in the game for large periods but lost a lot of form due to a lot of the team not having played together. Today's game would highlight the importance of full attendance at all trainings to get continuity going into semi finals. Yes we were unlucky having people away, injuries and illness but also very thankful to players who came to help.

U15 "Red" vs SBHS "A" lost 17-20

The boys were looking for a much improved performance in this semifinal after last week’s loss against the same opposition. With a few of Bedes’ frontrowers out with injury and illness a pack reshuffle meant uncontested scrums for the duration. The boys started well with the forwards getting over the advantage line and good distribution from Gethin Blair, Max Kirk and Reuben McIntyre creating space on the outside. Kymani Hau-Taunoa took full advantage with some strong running and was soon over for an unconverted try. Some good lines being run at centre by Jonty Fryer saw another couple of promising line breaks but the boys weren’t quite able to finish. With the parity at scrum time and a dominant lineout getting ball was looking good for Bedes but a period where Shirley was able to hold on to the ball and get their big ball carriers into the game lead to a try at 10 mins. The rest of the half reflected what this game was all about – a real dogfight with both teams evenly matched and neither wanting to give an inch. Another line break by Jonty gave the Bede's the field position from which they were able to create the pressure for another Kymani try which was converted by Reuben. Halftime break saw the score at 12 – 5 to Bede's.

Second half saw Shirley with early possession and a slick backline move saw an overlap try in the corner. Once again the battle resumed for dominance with promising moves by both sides being thwarted by strong defence. It wasn’t until the 53rd minute before the next score after Shirley elected to take a penalty in front and take a 13 – 12 lead. Bede's managed to get some field position and after a penalty kick to the corner used their lineout domination to their advantage with a drive to the line and try to Kelby Smith. 18 -12 to Bede's and 7 minutes to defend it – pressure rugby at it’s best. Unfortunately with 3 minutes to go Shirley’s captain went on a jinking run to beat a few tackles and score under the posts. Despite some desperate efforts Bede’s weren’t quite able to score again with the final score 17 – 20.

Whilst the boys are disappointed with the end result they should be proud of their efforts with work rate across the park exceptional and some quality rugby throughout. Commitment and courage couldn’t be faulted and there will be plenty learnt in what was a game of real pressure rugby.

Thanks to Luke Spanjer for helping out with front row coverage and big ups to the 1sts for their semifinal win over St Thomas’.

U15 "Black" vs Burnside Ti Kouka U15 lost 10-44

Another tough game this week. With 6 players down the team fronted up and put in a good effort.

We started strongly in an actioned packed first half with tries to Nick Weir and Mac Templeton. We put together some good attacking phases and defended well. With some big defensive efforts from Oscar Bekuis, Danny Boyce and Jack Sparrow and some good distribution from Cody Haigh, the half time score was 15-10 to Burnside.

In the second half Burnside team gained momentum and we let them take control of the game. Lui Rabuli and Noah McKay lead from the front with some great attacking runs and tacked hard all day. Unfortunately, the five weeks of rugby missed has impacted on fitness and team cohesion.

Thanks to the boys from the other under 15 teams who helped us out and boosted our numbers in the second half.

Congratulations to Lui Rabuli forward of the day and Noah McKay back of the day.

U14 Davidson the bye

U14 Freeman vs Hornby U14 lost 10-31

U14 Dunne vs SBHS U14B won "comfortably"

U14 Dunne played Shirley BHS 14B side this week at home on a sunny Saturday. Field conditions were better than expected and allowed St Bede's to play an open game. Straight after the kick off Dunne went to work with dominant ruck clearing and ball retention. Scoring in the third minute to a hard running Lui Vaipulu. Shirley struggled to retain possession through inaccurate passing and Dunne's good line speed. Kaden Roberts was to score next and convert his own try. Kaden had a very strong game kicking nine conversions from the tee and directing the backline from first five.

The first half was dominated by Dunne in both backs and forwards finishing the first half 56-0. Dunne then switched our forwards and backs to even up some aspects of the game which had the desired effect allowing Shirley to score through their backs while our forwards arranged a back line. It was good to see the whole team appreciate others positions and the different skills required. Once the team had sorted out some positions they began to score again with Shirley able to mount a bit more resistance. Halfback Ethan O'Donovan had a good game especially the second half when having to hit his backs as pods and props for first five. Bedean of the week was Bede Irving for direct first half running and a good second half forward effort.

U55kgs vs CBHS U55kgs "Black" lost 27-29