Four matches at Burnside and Nunweek Parks

2nd XV vs STC 2nd XV won 20-17

After a very 'unique' week of preparation - St Thomas defaulted on Thursday morning then "undefaulted" by the end of the day - the team went to Nunweek Park to face off against the runner-up from the round St Thomas'. We entered the game short of prop Tan Talanoa (concussion), midfielder Sam Keno (knee injury), and midfielder William Thwaites (flu). Dylan Butler stepped into the midfield to start having not played there all season. It was a blustery day, with the wind pushing hard towards one particular corner. St Thomas' played with the wind to start, and they made excellent use of it throughout the half. By the end of the half territory was around 30/70 in their favour, most of that in our 22m. Excellent defence, including twice holding up players over our line, saw the score 6-5 on the doorstep of halftime. The 6 points coming from the boot of Noah Barrett, who slotted one of these penalties from 40m into the wind. Unfortunately, we conceded a try right on the half. 6-12 at the break. We were relatively happy being just 6 points down and excited to use the breeze ourselves. However, we did not start the half well and, via crucial errors, invited St Thomas' back into our 22m. Though good defence again held them out it was miles from how, and where, we wanted to play. Paradoxically, as the half went on we actually seemed to have more success running the ball up over halfway rather than kicking. But on one of these promising forays we threw an intercept pass which resulted in another St Thomas' try. The score was now 6-17 with 15 minutes remaining. A very awkward position. Yet the team never gave up, never said die as they've been doing all season. Strong carries from forwards Heinrich Muller, Christian Williams-Schwalger, and Vili Fifita keep us going forward. Revel Mumuta, usually a forward but masquerading in the midfield, also busted some holes. Some strong lineout drives and pressure on opposition throws started to turn the tide. But, it was forward leader and lock Max Coltman that kickstarted the come back with a brilliant charge down try. 13-17 was the score with 10 minutes remaining and momentum finally was swinging our way. More hard work got the team back in an attacking position and, on the back of a "wall" move instigated for just such an opportunity, Max Coltman, playing out of his skin, drove to the line and somehow extended out to dot down with just 2 minutes remaining. Noah kicked the conversion, 4/4 for the day, and the team showed composure to hold on for a very dramatic 3 point win. A brilliant comeback from an 11 point deficit, and this on the back of erasing a 10 point hole last week in the semifinal. Very hard on the coaching team, but hugely pleasing to see such grit from the players. Winning the final obviously caps what was a strong season by the team and many players within the team. 

3rd XV vs StAC 2nd XV lost 10-26

St Bede's went into this final on an upswing having won their last 3 games. The players - a mix of year 11, 12 and 13s - had really come together well showing great discipline and team spirit. The StAC 2nds too had a strong run of form leading up to the final. St Bede's kicked off into the wind and were were soon under pressure with StAC scoring a converted try after 3 minutes. St Bede's then spent some time in the St red zone but came away unrewarded. On the 18th minute StAC scored again out wide and their kicker did well to convert in the windy conditions. Our forwards began to dominate possession and take control of the game, putting a lot of pressure on the opposition line. And our backs were tackling well and taking good options. On the last play of the half, at an attacking ruck, Will Arscott at 9 placed an excellent kick over an attacking ruck which Tom Robertson ran onto and scored. Halftime score 14 to 5. We began the second half well with the wind behind us and continued to dominate possession and territory. The plan had been to use the wind to pin StAC back but we didn't kick for territory as well as we could have. However we were able to put a lot of pressure on the StAC line and on the 51st minute Kazuki Yoshida scored an excellent try on the wing leaving a number of defenders in his wake. We were very much in the game at 14 to 10, but needed more points to reflect our dominance. At vital moments we made mistakes - kicking the ball out on the full, taking wrong options - and this hampered our efforts to score tries. From an attacking scrum we were penalized in the midfield and StAC took the ball up field through their sharp backs. They then scored two well taken tries to close out the game 26 to 10. The final score was not a true reflection of the game. It was frustrating to lose a game that we had dominated for large periods but ultimately the size and age of the opposition (as a 2nd XV) proved to be a deciding factor. It has been a very good season for the young men of the St Bede's 3rd XV. After a disrupted period with sickness and injuries they coalesced very well as a team and got themselves into the final. They showed excellent tenacity, spirit and skills, and displayed Bedean values very well. And recognition must be given to our year 13 players who led from the front and played their last games for the college. Tries: Tom Robertson and Kazuki Yoshida. Forward of the day: Hugo Tresfield. Back of the day: Kazuki Yoshida Players of the day: our year 13s - Lachie Daly, Kazuki Yoshida, Kaede Kurosu, Sam McAfee, Cohen Pinfold, Mathew Mun and Joshua Macdonald. 

U75kgs "Red" vs CBHS U75kgs won 40-21

After a good week of training, helped by a few guest coaches, the U75kg Red team went into the final confident of performing well against Christchurch Boys’ High School, the only side to beat them this season.

St Bede’s spent the first half playing into a stiff breeze and the match started in the best possible way with captain Nick Read returning the kick off with a 50 metre run up the field. St Bede’s won a scrum close to the line and a well executed move led to Max Hammett crossing for an early converted try. With the wind helping them, CBHS enjoyed some pressure and territory and a missed tackle led to a line break which they finished well to level the scores at 7-7. Bede’s soon struck back having worked their way up the field and great run from a set piece move and offload by Max Hammett saw the supporting Cam Howison power over for another converted try. With the wind a factor, Bede’s found it difficult to exit their half, but with much improved line speed were managing to hold out CBHS who enjoyed long periods of possession and territory. Unfortunately another missed tackle saw them clinically finish a line break to make the score 14-14. The St Bede’s defence was able to relive some pressure by winning penalties, which allowed them to kick for field position. Fortunately for Bede’s the lineout was working well with Elijah Butts and Ollie Meates enjoying a 100% success rate. Off the back of this the team managed to score a third converted try in the corner to take a 21-14 halftime lead.

A number of the team were nursing injuries throughout the game and some changes were made a halftime. The boys knew that with the wind they could now use their kicking game to pin Boys’ High back. The second half started well with an early try to take the score to 26-14. Bede’s were playing good finals rugby, dominating territory and taking the points when on offer. A penalty stretched the lead out to 3 scores and further pressure and a clinical 1st phase move saw Bede’s score another unconverted try for a 34-14 lead. Boys’ High never gave up and scored a third converted try, but great defensive work across the team with Ronan Davidson once again prominent shut them out for the rest of the game. Two further penalties gave St Bede’s a 40-21 win against a well organised Boys’ High team. There were great performances across the field and it was a fitting end to a season where the side have consistently been the best team in the grade.

U14 Dunne vs Merivale Papanui U14 lost 28-55

Section final for U14 Dunne was played at Burnside park on a sunny spring day vs Merivale Papanui. The game kicked off and was played at a very good pace. Merivale Papanui committed large numbers to the ruck and secured a quick turn over. From there they spun the ball wide to score first at the 2 min mark. Bede's quickly responded from the kick off through some strong carries ending with a darting run by Ethan O'Donovan to score. Ethan had a strong game from half back, always challenging the defence. The game then settled into a good tight match with some enterprising runs from both teams. Merivale Papanui would score next and convert. Bede's worked their way back into the game with Lui Vaipulu carrying well. Merivale Papanui broke out against the play and scored again. Bedes went back to work and responded with good team work to score twice in under 5 min, converted by Jack Hislop's great long range ability and Kaden Roberts first five who worked hard all game. Closing out the first half 21 all.

Second half opened with break out tries to Merivale-Papanui, when they found open space Bede's struggled to contain them. Credit to U14 Dunne's loose forwards trio of Cohan Clemence for abrasive carries, Thomas Gallagher for securing the line out which he has done weekly and Fergus Daly always on hand to secure a ruck or turnover. St Bede's continued to work hard to construct another good try in a tough second half.Congratulations to a good Merivale Papanui side who won 55 - 28. U14 Dunne would like to thank all our supporters who turned out in force to support our team. Thank you to Mark Ealey for all the support and work throughout the season.