Prize-giving Awards Captain George Clarke Most Improved Back Albie Roberts Most Improved Forward Max Harris Most Valuable Player Daniel Wyber Jack Bristead Award Jack Mckenzie Players’ Player of the Year Jack Mckenzie Service to the 2nd XV Archer Oliver Rob Donaldson Manager 3RD XV RUGBY Manager: Angus Dysart-Paul It was a challenging rugby season for College’s 3rd XV in 2022. Illness and Covid-19 affected the small squad that never played with more than two or three on the bench. The starting team changed almost every week, with players often being called up to the 2nd XV. Yet, despite many challenges, week after week, a determined and resolute 3rd XV embodied the spirit of the game. Match after match, the team played with heart, drive and courage, and could rightly be proud of their performance this season. In company with the All Blacks, results in 2022 did not always go in the team’s favour. After grading games at the beginning of the season, the 3rd XV won two out of 10 matches. However, many of the team’s losses were close and hard-fought struggles. Three losses – to Shirley Boys’ High School, Christchurch Boys’ High School and St Thomas of Canterbury College – were very narrow and within the margin of a converted try. The boys should be proud of the rugby they played. The team’s two wins, against Burnside and Belfast, were first-class performances. A commanding win against Burnside demonstrated the skill and ability of the thirds. And the win against Belfast, secured in the
vs St Bede’s College lost 15–22 vs Christchurch Boys’ High School lost 33–47 vs St Thomas of Canterbury College lost 15–31 vs Lincoln Combined won 73–7 vs Aoraki Combined won 28–7 vs Selwyn Combined won 13–8 vs Nelson College lost 7–48 (played during Quadrangular Tournament) vs Marlborough Boys’ College lost 29–13 vs Rangiora High School won 32–12 vs St Andrew’s College lost 27–31 vs Timaru Boys’ High School lost 19–22 vs Aoraki Combined won 43–5 (Bowl Semi Final) vs Selwyn Combined won 42–14 (Bowl Final) Traditional Fixtures Otago Boys’ High School won 24–22 Quadrangular Tournament vs Whanganui Collegiate School won 47–33 vs Nelson College lost 7–48 Neil Porter Manager 2ND XV RUGBY Manager: Rob Donaldson Coaches: Reuben Thorne, Sam Harris Team: George Clarke (captain), Daniel Wyber (vice-captain), Beau Armstrong, Franklin Barry, Sam Chittock, Max Cookeson, Murphy Dargue, Archibald George, Max Harris, Matty Hickman, George Howard, Jake Leck, Jack Mckenzie, Lachlan McVicar, Archer Oliver, Matthew O’Connor, Charlie Poulter, Josh Ratulomai, Tom Rawstron, Albie Roberts, Jono Rookes, Henry Thin,
Angus Thorne, Oscar Wells-Swann The theme for this season was ‘massive improvement’. The team has come such a long way since the start of the season. Evidence for this can be seen in the following examples: Losing 29–7 to St Thomas of Canterbury College’s 2nd XV in the grading game in early May; then only losing 21–19 on 24 June; and then winning, 22–20, on 13 August. Losing to the Christchurch Boys’ High School 3rd XV, 21–12, on 21 May and then beating that team, 20–19, on 2 July. Two strong wins over Cashmere High School, and dominating the second half in the most recent encounter. Losing to St Bede’s College 2nd XV, 48–0, on 18 June; then closing the gap to 22–17 on 6 August and, finally, drawing the semi-final on 27 August, 18–18. The boys should be proud of this improvement against the top- rated side in the competition. Yes, we needed the win to get through to the final, but if you put aside that disappointment, you should celebrate the grit and determination required to reach a point where we could stand a chance of beating the best in the grade. Progress was not just measured by results. You could clearly see the improvements in scrums, lineouts, pod work, and continuity of play in the backline. By the end of the season, the boys were contesting the breakdown vigorously and defending tenaciously. They had toughened up and sharpened their skills. Many thanks to Reuben Thorne and Sam Harris for their expert guidance of the team and their positive encouragement of the boys. I wonder whether the boys really know how lucky they are to have had such great coaches? Thanks as well to Casey Laulala for his contributions during training and to Stephen Dods for his support of the team, through specialised coaching sessions and management of the team on two occasions. The 2nds have a special place in Dodsy’s heart.
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Christ’s College Canterbury
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