100th game vs Christ's College 1st XV

1st XV v Christ’s College at SBC won 20-15

In what was calculated to be the 100th meeting between St Bede’s and Christ’s College lived up to the billing. The game was close throughout, with St Bede’s threatening at times to dominant only to have a tenacious Christ’s team exert pressure. Eto Bainivalu opened the scoring with a brilliant individual try that was converted by Kynan Stowers-Smith. Justin Evans crossed soon after to give St. Bede’s a 12-0 lead going into half time. St. Bede’s was rocked 20 seconds into the second half when an error lead to Christ’s narrowing the lead to 12-5. Play maker, Kynan Stowers-Smith was forced from the field with injury and did not reappear in the second half forcing changes to the backline. Christ’s scored a penalty to close the score to 12-8. St. Bede’s was further hindered by a player sent to the sinbin. However, this served to strengthen the St. Bede’s resolve and they added another unconverted try and a penalty to take the score to 20-8. St. Bede’s then weathered a Christ’s onslaught conceding a converted try with ten minutes to go. 20-15 was to be the final score as St. Bede’s were able to defend their line successfully. A key feature of the game was the great support from St. Bede’s supporters who produced a rousing haka at half time.

2nd XV: Won 31-22 vs Christ’s College 2nd XV

3rd XV: Christ’s College 3rd XV: won 34-17

The 3rd XV came up against a much improved College team and while we came away with a good win, score wise it was a far from a polished performance. Patches of the game were played with good intensity and poise, but the lack of rugby in the last four weeks took its toll on the team. Costly errors and silly mistakes stopped the team from getting any momentum or go forward. A serious injury to Logan Burns also put us under more pressure and added to our inability to put together serious phase play. When we did get it right we broke their line with ease and scored tries freely. The team will hopefully learn from today’s game and build for next week.

4th XV: Lost 10-34 vs Merivale-Papanui U18s

U16A: Won 46-5 vs Christ’s College U16 “A”

With a howling gale behind us St. Bede’s kicked for the corners and set up camp in the opposition 22. The excitement of not having played for two weeks led to the boys rushing their attack and spoiling a few opportunities early in the half. Once they settled down and got into their work the tries started to flow. Dedicated defence from both the forwards and backs kept us entrenched in Christ’s red zone and starved them of possession. Our opening try to Charlie Stenberg was scored out wide after great setup work by the forwards. Another Sean Fitzpatrickesque try to our hooker Liam Potts on the other wing saw us 10-0 up. A difficult day for kicking meant the tries went unconverted. A bullocking run by Tom Shamy saw him also get over for a well-deserved try. The last play of the half saw Jackson Wright scythe through the mid field for our first converted try having us 22-0 ahead at half-time.

Turning into the wind for the second half we changed tactics, held possession and carried towards the opposition try-line. A well worked and subsequently converted try to William Sparrow got the second half scoring underway. Holding up Christs in the tackle and winning turnover ball saw us get into position to unleash some of our set piece moves. A try to our captain Zeke De Gouw continued to hammer home our advantage. An honesty call from our touch judge denied a flying and diving Caleb Hazeldine from a try that would have been worthy of any highlights reel. The one handed putdown whilst over the corner flag was unfortunately called back for stepping on the line. (Its OK Pottsy, Caleb forgives you!!) A sneaky halfbacks try to Jack Goodin and a wide out run in under the posts to Shotaro Fujiu saw us finish the game 46-5. This result was pleasing for it being our most complete team performance to date. That being said our Player of the Day was Ben Shipley who was everywhere and into everything. Well done boys. Conversions to Mason Allison and Charlie Stenberg.

U16B: Lost 7-81 vs Cashmere HS

U15A: Won 40-0 vs Christ’s College U15 “A”

Saturday’s match was a great step up from the game versus St. Kevin’s midweek. The score does not reflect the arm wrestle that took place in the first 20minutes where Christ’s held possession well - using their forward pack to hit the open and blind, causing our defensive structure to be tested.

Late in the half our line-out and use of the blind side saw us go in 21-0 up at the break.

The boys played smart rugby against a swirling wind in the second half. Some more good interplay between backs and forwards pushed out the score line to 38-0.

This was very good Christ’s side but our boys’ work on defence was courageous and caused Christ’s to make silly errors and kick the ball away. For the first time this season the boys felt what it was like to exert pressure on the opposition rather than feel it.

Man of the match could have easily went to any of the 22 but Tanner Stowers-Smith gave us constant go forward ball which the backs were thankful for.

U15 Red: Lost 14-43 vs Burnside U15s

U15 Black: lost 0-96 to Christ’s College U15B

U14A won 36-10 v Hillmorton HS U14

U14B: Lost 43-44 vs CBHS U14 “Blue”

U58kgs “Red” won 31-21 vs ChCh FC “Knights”

U58kgs “Black” won 43-39 vs ChCh FC “Tomahawks”