10 wins 2 losses

1st XV vs Timaru BHS won 31-24

The scoreline shows what a tough battle it was, as we expected with Timaru Boys.

Timaru being a big pack were always going to try and out-muscle our team, but again the boys showed our strengths of working together as a pack, staying focused and delivering the game plan would get us the result we needed and a spot in the top four/semi-final.

Our scrum showed again a strong platform and dominated the bigger Timaru pack, led by a strong performance from Neps showing his leave-it-all-on-the-line approach (attitude) rubs off the rest of the pack, and also showed an aggressive defence approach, which the team thrived on.

With the scrum and lineout performing very well, the midfield was able to run hard and straight, giving Mason a platform from which to control the game and create some great space out wide for some great tries. Naita scored two with Isaac and Jack Ryan picking up one each. With the whole team playing very well, special mention also to Mason who led the team very well around the field and had a very good kicking game, which always puts a smile on a forward working hard all day and life a bit easier. Sam Lawry  also had a strong game in defence and some solid ball carries to allow our pack/team to move forward.

The team have now achieved something special and now a semi-final awaits us, which the boys are very excited about and a reflection of the hard work they have put in since last October.

Player of the day – Nepia Crowe

2nd XV vs Christ's College 2nd XV won 12-0

With a spot in the final on the cards this week's game was always going to add that extra bit of pressure. Add to that a 9:00am kickoff and a number of player changes and this match required the lads to stay focussed and not let doubt creep in and mess with their performance.The first half was a nil-all slog. We had a player advantage after a red card was issued for the opposition, but despite the numbers advantage we couldn’t retain the ball in a number of scoring opportunities. 10 minutes into the second half we scored when Suliasi Faiva assisted by half the forward back crashed through the oppositions defence. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful. Our 5 point lead would be all we had until the final three minutes of the game when Charlie Stenberg slipped through a gap to score under the posts, setting up an easy conversion for himself.With a twelve nil lead the final few minutes was the only time the sideline could relax in what had been a very tense game, which so easily could have changed with one simple error.Player of the day went to Samuel Robb for his consistency in the forwards and his work in securing the ball in the line outs.Tries Suliasi Faiva, Charlie Stenberg Conversion Charlie Stenberg

3rd XV vs St. Thomas's College U18 "Red" won 20-19

U16A vs Christchurch BHS U16A won 84-3

The St Bede’s U16A team played CBHS U16A in the semi final this week. After a good week on the training field the team was prepared to play well in a must-win game. CBHS started the game well scoring first with a penalty shot in front of the posts. This jump started the men into action and the team adapted to the game and took control with a dominating performance. The match finished 15 min early but both teams played until the final whistle . As a team we look forward to playing in the final, which was our team goal for the season. Thanks to Stijn on the camera for us today and all our supporters, great to see alot of good 1st XV men supporting us and one running the tee. The team need to go back to training this week, fine tune the basics and look forward to a final on Saturday. Well done to all the other teams that have made finals good fortunes from the U16A team .

U16B vs Christchurch BHS U16B "Blue" won 32-12

Yesterday was a beautiful day for rugby and an important semi final game. Securing a win against Boys' High meant that the Bedes U16B boys would advance to the finals. From opening kickoff St Bede's played with pace, speed and minimal mistakes. This led to a few early tries in the first half and a 20-0 score after twenty minutes of game time. The Bedeans were efficient and precise with ball movement, line speed and and ball security which led to an effective offensive onslaught. Defensively the U16 B boys were pests around the breakdown causing Boys' High to concede various penalties. As the game progressed Boys' High fought back and scored twice. This alerted the U16 B boys that their job wasn't finished. They regathered themselves and responded with a couple of scores and a defensive effort that stifled Boys High attempts at resurgence. Overall I am really proud of our 32-12 win and overjoyed at the team we've become. The U16 B Bedeans have grown into young men through hard work and dedication. I'd also like to thank Coach Litten, Bedean coaching staff and team parents that have been instrumental in our success. Lastly congratulations to U16 A and Coach Naps for their dominant victory.

U15B vs Christchurch BHS U15B "Black" lost 22-35

St Bedes Under 15B had a frosty early morning start and allowed CBHS U15C to claim an early lead in their 35-22 loss at CBHS on Saturday.

They turned on the burners mid-way through the first half with William McIntyre scoring a great team try followed by a conversion from the powerful boot of Wil Pattinson to trail CBHS by three points.

CBHS nipped in for a further try and conversion before a spirited revival by St Bedes with Jimmy Hastings at the forefront leading to a try by Jayden Secker. Trailing by two points five minutes to half-time, St Bedes dropped their guard for CBHS to score twice more and lead 27-12 at the half-time break.

Tauvale Thomas Aupa'au started the comeback with a try from concentrated St Bedes counter attack early in the second half. St Bedes continued to hold CBHS at bay before a try scoring effort was ruled to be held up. Charles Challies-Gibb made sure of it moments later to score from a maul on the line. CBHS furthered their lead with a penalty and finished the day with a final try. The win was there to be had with strong play from Blake Scott in the backline and good work in the loose by Tom Lewis with Gem Inkster gaining valuable ground bumping off the opposition and creating good space. Jake Dunn was very lively on the day and Sam McAfee worked hard in the tight making one strong run.

Half-back Lachlan Baird again featured with smart off loads and good defence.

U63kgs "Red" vs StAC U63kgs "Blue" lost 19-47

U63kgs "Black" vs CC U63kgs won 63-7

U14A vs Linwood College U14 won 58-10

U14B vs Christchurch FC U14 won 66-17

The Stags played the 9:00am game away to Christchurch in perfect conditions. They got off to a good start with an early try Wiremu (his first of the season). The Stags were playing with good structure, getting their pods going and passing well through the backs. They spent plenty of time in the oppositions red zone in the first quarter but some unforced errors prevented them from scoring. However 4 further tries (2 to Nick S) gave the Stags a 25 point lead at halftime.

The play opened up somewhat in the second half and while Christchurch scored two tries, the stags added further tries to Kelby (his second) Solomon, Vincent and Matt B (2). So the lads came away with a very convincing 66 to 17 victory. They are improving every week and lead their division with one game to go against CBHS.
PoD was Harry G who was sharp and focused on both attack and defence, and Kelby, Daniel, Nick and Matt had strong games.

U58kgs "Red" vs Christchurch BHS u58kgs "Black" won 49-12

The final game of the round robin. Despite being guaranteed a spot in the final, the Challenge Shield was on the line and we certainly did not want to lose to CBHS, a team that gave us some trouble earlier in the season. The game started with two quick tries but we then throttled back and allowed CBHS 7back into the match. 14-7 at half time. Some encouraging words at half time and the score started to mount in the second half. Final score 49-12.That win has locked up the Challenge Shield for the summer and also prevented CBHS from getting any points from the game. This allowed the SBC Black side to also make the final. We can expect a game for the ages next week. Either way. SBC have the championship win in the bag.

U58kgs "Black" vs StAC U58kgs won 24-19

Although this game against STAC was just the final round robin match we had everything to play for, because a win with a little bit of help from the U58 red team meant we were in the final. After a draw with this team earlier in the year we knew that they were a strong side. It took a while for the boys to get going which resulted in us being down 14-0 at halftime. We knew we were still in the match we just needed to play our game. Unfortunately, they were the first to score in the 2nd half, which made the score 19-0. Some sulky running and well executed passing helped us score our first try which made the game 19-5. Not helping the case we got a yellow card so we were down to 14 men for 10 minutes. But this is when the boys really turned it on with about 15 minutes to go scoring 2 tries while we had 14 men. By the time he came back on it was 17-19; STAC. Then with about a minute left we made a nice break down the left our player ofloading to Rawiri, who streaks down the left hand side scoring pretty close to the posts to make it 22-19. A successful conversion making it 24-19. A knock on at kickoff from them meant we had a scrum with time up and all we needed to do was get the ball into touch; which is what we did. Overall, it was an exhilarating comeback from the boys and I hope that they can bring that same energy next week in an all St Bedes U58kg final.

Player of the day: Caleb