break when Nick Wilson played a silky through pass which Gabriel slotted past the St Bede’s keeper. College created more good overlapping runs out wide, while solid defensive work from the backline created positive forward play. Nick Wilson was everywhere, creating some wonderful attacking opportunities. Unfortunately, College could not capitalise on their good play and after a clumsy free kick was awarded, College was caught off guard as St Bede’s claimed a late goal. A tough 1–2 loss after College was the better of the two sides. A frustrating 0–2 loss to Burnside High School had College nervous about making the top-six playoffs, but after managing to compile a convincing 7–0 scoreline against Rangiora High School, it was clear that College belonged in the top half of the table. College drew Cashmere High School in the first round of the playoffs. Despite beating Cashmere earlier in the season, College knew this would be a different encounter. The game was played in a great spirit with lots of intensity, and where Cashmere finished their opportunities, College did not. Some unfortunate errors resulted in goals and despite College converting a late penalty, the boys could not overrun the dominant opposition. The 1–4 result was not a reflection of College’s endeavours and efforts. College ended its league season with a 5th/6th playoff final against Christchurch Boys’ High School. It was another tight battle, with College starting strongly and creating early chances through a high-tempo passing game and some incisive runs out wide by Nick Wilson and AJ Madondo. Spencer Smith and Lewis Whiteside controlled the midfield to give College the lion’s share of possession and, closing in on half- time, College was awarded a penalty after Sam Shelling was brought down inside the box. Unfortunately, Gabriel Gallaway’s penalty shot slid just wide of the post. The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with College creating several attacking opportunities that were not finished off. Finally, the game broke College’s way, with Gabriel Gallaway
finishing off a nice move that started with a long cut-out pass from the back by Harry Sharr. College dug in, and despite some late pressure and scrappiness, hung on for a deserved 1–0 win and fifth place in the 2022 Premier Competition. Being back at the National Premier
redemption for the loss during the league season. This put College into the 17–24 Bowl Competition. Through the playoffs, College had to dig deep and battle. With the usual tournament-induced bumps and niggles, and up against familiar foes, College first ground out a 1–0 win over Otago Boys’ High School. It was not the prettiest play, with a few ugly moments going seemingly unnoticed by the referee. Locked at 0–0, it was a bit of a stalemate, with both teams missing chances to score. Alex Scott broke the deadlock for College, finishing off an excellent move down the left by Nick Wilson. This was followed by another tough tussle against Timaru Boys’ High School. College went ahead 1–0 through a goal by Harry Sharr, who ended up as the team’s tournament MVP, before Lewis Whiteside doubled the lead after an excellent passage of play. TBHS pulled one back with 12 minutes left, to set up a tense finish, but College held on for the 2–1 win to go through to the final of the bowl competition. The final against Napier Boys’ High School was a cracker of a game, with both teams trading goals and
Tournament for the first time since 2019 was a highlight for
the team. In a tough pool with St Kentigern College, Nelson College, and eventual tournament winner, Tauranga Boys’ College, College held its own and proved the boys deserved to be there. College turned in a top performance against St Kentigern in the opening pool game, going down in a gutting 0–1 defeat. St Kentigern stole the match in the last two minutes after the teams went toe-to-toe throughout. College turned it around in the afternoon with a gutsy 2–1 win over Nelson College, showing a lot of resilience and grit along the way. Day two produced another loss and a win. College went down 1–5 to a very clinical Tauranga Boys’ College team before bouncing back to beat cross-town rival St Bede’s College, 1–0, in another gutsy afternoon performance. It was some
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Christ’s College Canterbury
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