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Photo by Brendan Biggs

2021 1st XV Report

Mark Hammett —

2021 1st XV Report

The date was Saturday 7th August. As a school we were celebrating our 60th Anniversary and had just finished playing St Bedes at St Bedes in front of over three thousand supporters. We lost the game by 2 points in what was to be an epic encounter. Unfortunately, our record season high of 50 Table Points left us 1 point shy of making the Top 4 for the first time in our history.

Remembering the disappointment we all felt as a team and school that day soon diminished and was replaced with satisfaction and pride when we looked back on what this group has achieved…

When reflecting on our starting point and how young and inexperienced this team was, to becoming the most successful STC 1st XV Team in the Miles Toyota Cup history spoke volumes as to the character and the effort put in by these young men.

Impressively, we won 9 games to beat our STC previous best of 8 games in a season.

Just as impressive were our narrow losses, never losing by more than 7 points in the round robin stages - Losing to St Andrews (1 Point), Timaru Boys (7 Points), Nelson College (5 Points) and St Bedes (2 Points)

Highlights were aplenty.

We started the season with only seven players returning from 2020 of which only 4 players had won their 12 game Cap. By the end of season, we had an additional 11 players win their 12 game Cap and up to 19 of the current players can or will return in 2022.

This team was a try scoring machine and won the ‘4 Try bonus point’ on 10 occasions (the team won 14 bonus points in total if we include the ‘4 losing bonus points’ for losing by less than 7 points).

Winning against two of the big Christchurch rugby schools in CBHS and Christs College will be remembered for ever by all that were at the ground for those games.

This team personified hard work and preparation throughout the week. The values of ‘Manawa’ and ‘Brotherhood’ was lived and actioned outstandingly well from our first day in camp at Hanmer Springs, through to the very end of our season.

Higher Honours

· U18 NZ Maori Trialist - Cooper Te Hau

· Junior Crusaders Camp - Fine Vaingalo, Jack Coulthard, Richie Tupuailei, Tevita Faitotonu and Maretino Kaloudau

· NZ U18 Touch Team - Tyler Tapa-Wither

· NZ BABBAS - Jack Coulthard, Richie Tupuailei

On behalf of the 1st XV Management Team, we would like to thank all the players, medical staff, sponsors, and whanau for the incredible support we have received throughout the season.