The St Bede’s 1st XI Football team have been enjoying their tournament in Taupo this week.

The setting for the tournament and our accommodation is fantastic, with Ruapehu nestled in the background when viewed from our motel window. Last night we explored Hot Water Beach digging holes to create our own hot pools and look forward to seeing more of this thermal wonderland when time allows us. For anyone slightly homesick a short earthquake centred 20 km up the road last night took us back to our hometown fairly swiftly.

The boys have played 7 games so far and are looking to progress into a finals playoff for 9th and 10th position from a tournament of 24 teams. 

The morning games have gone well with an extremely hard fought draw against Rongatai College, equalising in the final minute of the game from a penalty. The boys met the aggression of the opposition and showed gutsy determination by not giving up until the final whistle had blown. 

The afternoon games have tested the fitness of the boys with two games slipping away from Bede’s, one game cruelly lost from a penalty that deflected off a St Bede’s header in the final minutes. 

As the boys prepare for their semi-final against Middleton Grange, they have just taken a quick ice bath in Lake Taupo! We will break briefly for lunch and then aim our sights on a win to see us into the final.

A massive thanks must go out to the parents who farewelled us at the airport with pre-cooked meals. The boys have eaten like kings which has set us up and kept us going throughout the day.

Mr Chris Hubble