One of the highlights of the days at College was the traditional Pacific Island feast prepared and cooked by the Pasifika parents. This has helped to set the tone for the introduction of aspects of Pasifika culture into the life of the 1st XV as the group becomes more diverse. A significant change to the programme was caused by the new gymnasium building project. Unfortunately Upper was not available as the team’s home ground, so matches were played at a range of venues. The new gym will make a significant improvement to the programme. However, it was hard for the senior boys to not realise their dreams of playing on Upper. A good number of players returned from the 2021 1st XV and they showed the benefit of experience in the preseason matches against St Andrew’s College. The first competition match against Shirley Boys’ High School featured five College tries in a high-scoring match. College appeared to have the match won, only for some individual brilliance in the last minute from a SBHS player, snatching a 30–30 draw. The 1st XV played its first match on its temporary home ground at Hospital Corner, defeating Waimea Combined Schools, 42–7.
In the first of three difficult games, College faced St Bede’s College at the opposition ground. This was a battle between two teams playing good rugby. The scores were even at half-time before St Bede’s pulled ahead. In the last 10 minutes, College pressured the St Bede’s line and crossed over on three occasions. However, the desired try was not forthcoming and St Bede’s held on to win, 22–15. The traditional match versus Christchurch Boys’ High School was played at Orangetheory Stadium as a curtain-raiser to a Crusaders’ match. A match at the stadium, with its wonderful playing surface, was a great experience for the team. CBHS was too clinical in the first half and scored tries from long range. College mounted strong challenges that crossed the line three times but the team could not get the ball down. Facing a half-time scoreline of 0–35, the team knew it had to improve its performance and score first. It did just that after two minutes and College then got into its stride to dominate both possession and field position. Three more tries were scored but CBHS was also able to score twice before College scored on full-time. The final score was 33–47 to CBHS.
The programme did not get easier as the team headed back to Orangetheory Stadium the next week to play St Thomas of Canterbury College, who proved to be too strong across the park and ran out the winner, 31–15. Next up was a day trip to play Aoraki Combined in Timaru. Playing in gale-like conditions, College secured the bonus-point win with a 28–7 victory. A midweek trip to Otago Boys’ High School featured a mix of 1st and 2nd XV players defending the Ames Trophy, with a last-minute penalty goal from Leo Jelley giving the team a 24–22 win. The match against Selwyn Combined was rescheduled to a Thursday evening in order to reduce congestion around the Quadrangular Tournament. This proved a tricky match, with College scoring late to take a 13–8 win. The 1st XV started the 96th Quadrangular Tournament with a strong win over host Whanganui Collegiate School on day one. The final score of 47–33 in College’s favour meant the team played the Quadrangular Final against Nelson College for the second year in a row. Nelson College proved too strong and dominated both possession and field position to win 48–7.
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Christ’s College Canterbury
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