Rugby The South Island 1st XV final this season was played between Christchurch Boys’ High School and Otago Boys’ High School. College's 1st XV started and finished their season playing these two teams, with both matches ending in draws, which gives an indication of the level of performance of the team. In the UC championship the team finished 2nd after 14 round robin games, with losses to CBHS and Timaru Boys’ High School. For the last two seasons the team has been unable to get past a home semi-final, but in a thrilling match against St Bede’s College they played in their first final since the competition began almost 20 years ago. The final was a great battle, which resulted in a draw. It was only a rule that prevented the team qualifying for the South Island final. It was their highest finish in the 1st XV competition, in its current format, and this comes on top of winning the annual Quadrangular tournament in Wanganui last term. In this tournament, the team defeated Wellington College 49–19 and then played hosts Wanganui Collegiate in the final and won 33–7. The squad have a number of players who have made Junior Crusader Knights, and Canterbury U16 and U18 Metro teams. Special mention to Sam Darry and Patrick Thacker who have been named on the NZ schools’ team, and Zac Gallagher and Arthur Allen for their inclusion in the NZ schools’ Barbarian team. These teams will play matches against Tonga, Fiji, Australia and NZ Maori. Having four boys from one school is an outstanding result, one not previously achieved by College. The College rugby club had seven other sides competing in the CRFU competition during the winter season. The 2nd XV and U16A sides were both very competitive in the top section of their grades,
but were unable to pick up key wins when required (which they were capable of), with both teams beating teams that made their grade finals. This was also the case for the U14 side who put some very good performances together against the top sides in the grade and show promise for the future. College U15B and U13A were the two other teams to make finals this season. The U15B team had a thrilling end to their season, facing off against CBHS, the only team to beat them earlier in the year. CBHS came out strongly, and were 10–0 up after 10 minutes, but the College boys responded well and kept themselves within reach until they took the lead with 12 minutes left in the game. They came home strongly to win 39–22 and take the division title. The U13A side played St Bede’s in the grade final and, in a match that went back and forth, College held their nerve at the end for a well-deserved 22–19 win. Both the U15 and U16 rugby teams were involved in tournament week. The U15 side travelled to Blenheim for the annual South
Island invitational tournament. In pool play, the team defeated Waitaki Boys’ High School by 73–0, and then followed this with a hard fought 26–17 win over Southland Boys’ High School. In the final pool match the team had a narrow loss to hosts Marlborough Boys’ College by 22–20, but gained a bonus point from the match which was enough for them to top their pool and make the final. They had to travel to Nelson College, who hosted the finals, and play tournament heavy weight Shirley Boys’ High School. In the final, which was far more competitive than the score suggested, College side were comfortably defeated to finish 2nd. College hosted the U16 Quad tournament for the second time. The tournament saw Nelson College and John McGlashan College, Dunedin, come to Christchurch to play College and StAC. The tournament did not start well, with College’s first game cancelled due to ground closures. The second day saw the team travel to West Melton to play Nelson. In wet and muddy
From left, Arthur Allen, Zach Gallagher (selected for NZ Schools' Barbarian team), Sam Darry and Patrick Thacker (selected for NZ Schools' Rugby team).
Christ’s College Canterbury
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