1st XV v Marlborough Boys’ College at SBC won 21-10

St. Bede’s celebrated their first home game of the season with a hard fought win against a physical and well drilled Marlborough side. In front of a big crowd St. Bede’s started slowly in the first half struggling at times with the pressure that the Marlborough pack was able to apply. St. Bede’s responded with two well taken tries to Finn Moffat and Eto Bainivalu both converted by Kynan Stowers-Smith. Although Marlborough closed the gap to 14-10 in the second half a George Methven try put the game beyond doubt in the final minutes. The game highlights how close this competition will be this year with seven teams all vying for the Top Four. Angus Grant, starting for the first time was awarded the Billy Harmon medal for his performance at hooker. The team will be at home again next week when they take on Waimea Combined.

2nd XV: Won 40-12 vs Hillmorton HS

The four points we picked up for the win this week are no less valuable than last week’s, but they were secured in a very different manner, providing a lot of material and learning opportunities for next week’s training.

Facing an opposition who were collectively not as fit or dynamic, and without any players on their bench, we opened up a lead of 28-5 in the first half. Whilst both the HT and FT score look good, they do not reflect the fact, that through a lack of awareness, we missed opportunities to test the opposition where they were weak.

Expecting the second half to open up, Hillmorton closed down our attempts to break their line and actually added 7 points, despite fatigue and a few injuries setting in. We added 12 points in the final few minutes, but the second half was really reflected in a display of Hillmorton’s grit and determination to play the full game.

Thanks to Luke Higginbottom and Sam Robb who stepped in for us this week to provide cover due to reduced player numbers through illness and injuries.

HT 28-5, FT 40-12

Tries: Tobias Williams 2, Masa Atsumi, Sam Turner, Nate Johanson, Ben Fleming

Conversions Tobias Williams 5

Player of the Day: Ben Higginbottom

3rd XV: BYE

4th XV: Won 48-36 vs Christ’s College 3rd XV

The fourth’s first home game of the year against Christ’s College 3rd XV was a to and fro contest. After establishing early dominance a handy lead through the forwards punchy play up the centre of the park, the fourths found themselves trailing at the break after a late yellow card and a stream of penalties leading to some territory pressure and holes in the defence. A second half rally off the back of some more strong forward play and exceptional broken play from the backline saw the 4ths pile on the points. A late rally from Christ’s College saw the score board tighten but were well held out by some sterling defence throughout the park. A well-deserved 48 - 36 win.

U16A: Won 26-17 vs CBHS U16 “A”

Having played CBHS “A” two weeks ago in grading and only narrowly beating them we knew they would come out hard and want to even the ledger. The level of competition between the two teams was exemplified by there being only one scoring play in the first half. St Bede’s withstood a sustained and high level of attack and countered with our fearless leader Zeke De Gouw scoring the only try of the first half. St Bede’s took a long while to adjust to the referee and his interpretations but once they got a handle on his style managed to retain possession and set up attacking phases.

The second half started the same way with CBHS attacking feverishly and working their way down to our goal line. After multiple phases of attack they got in under the sticks for a converted try. A yellow card against us for an attempted intercept left us short-handed and CBHS attacked hard again and came away with another converted try within 4 minutes. A few stern words from the coaches and a reminder about where we were stirred the boys into action. Not wanting to give up the Canterbury Metropolitan U16 Challenge Shield in front our home crowd St Bede’s surged towards the opposition goal line with some destructive running from Tom Shamy. Tries in quick succession to Harrison Bruhns-Croy and Oliver Lyons swung the momentum our way. After getting their noses in front St Bede’s dug in and continued to dominate field position. A final minute attack saw Iuvale Pulega dot down beside the posts for a match sealing try which was ably converted by Mason Allison. With 20 seconds on the clock St. Bede’s secured the kick-off and cleared to touch for a hard fought and well deserved victory. Our Player of the Day was Liam Potts who worked tirelessly the entire game in a forward dominated battle.

U16B: Drew 29-29 vs CBHS

U15A: Won 36-28 vs SBHS U15 “A”

U15 Red: Won 38-7 vs StAC

U15 Black: lost 7-82 to CBHS “C” White

U14A won 50-12 v Cashmere U14

U14B: Lost 22-85 vs Hillmorton HS U14

U58kgs “Red” lost 26-36 vs ChCh FC “Red”

Yesterday’s game was a classic case of who wanted it more. Last week Christchurch had lost to Burnside and so had some fire in their bellies. Our team thought they were playing year 8s and it would be easy, the opposite was true.
Christchurch dominated early to take a 12 nil lead. After a while the boys got back into the game where at half time it was 17 to 12.
Early in the second half Fraser Brown (2nd 5) hit a short pass a sliced through their backs, making a 60m run, only to be chased down 1m from the line. The Christchurch team then turned over the ball and went 105m for a 14 point swing try down the other end. They wanted to stop the try, more than we wanted to score it.
To St. Bede’s credit they fought their way back again with some straight hard running particularly by Finn Parkin (6), but Christchurch got themselves a late try to secure a 10 point win. The simple reality was they wanted it more and played better. A very good lesson hopefully learnt.

U58kgs “Black” won 26-19 vs StAC