Friday 2 November saw St Thomas of Canterbury College travel to Hoon Hay Park for the Canterbury regional School Rugby Sevens Championship which doubles as a qualifier for the National Condors Tournament in Auckland. The team was drawn a tough pool facing off against last year’s two qualifiers Timaru Boy’s High School and Christchurch Boy’s High School. Up against CBHS first, the team raced out to a 7 – 0 lead and ended up winning the close encounter 12-7. This meant that a win against Timaru Boys High would set them up with a semi-final.

However, this was not to be as they lost against a strong Timaru squad. This meant their semi-final chances hindered on Timaru beating Boys High which was to happen, propelling our team up against St Bedes (heavy favourites) in a semi-final. The top two teams qualify for the nationals in Auckland meaning a win against St Bedes would see the team qualify. What a game it was as well. The Saints raced out to a 19-nil lead after 3 minutes and even a St Bedes come back could not stop our boys from scoring one more try to secure a spot in the final against Timaru and a trip to Auckland for the Nationals in December.

Good luck men.

A huge thanks to Brendan Biggs for the management and to Johnny Leo’o for his professional guidance.

Chris Leader