SPORT Hockey
MiC/Manager: Darrell Thatcher In 2023, College again entered six teams in the local competition. As in previous years, the 1st XI, 2nd XI, and 3rd XI were all selected on ability while the Senior XI was a self-selected senior ‘social’ team. The change this year was the selection of two even junior teams (CC Black XI and CC Grey XI). This meant both teams were competitive in their grade and all players had a better opportunity to develop their skills and understanding of the game. The season highlights included three teams having the opportunity to attend tournaments, enabling the boys to develop their hockey skills on the field, develop as young men off the field, and take away lifetime memories from their experiences; having our German exchange back up and running, enabling Julius Dittmar to spend six weeks at Christ’s College and Josh Durant to travel to Gymnasium am Moltkeplatz School in Krefeld in December; the Senior XI winning the Division 3 competition and the 1st XI making the final of the SPL for the ninth time in 12 seasons; and players of all abilities enjoying their hockey by being part of a team environment and improving their skills and fitness, along the way. The 1st XI had one of its most experienced teams in recent times, with 12 players returning from 2022 (including eight Year 13s). The team attended the Anzac Pre-Season Tournament in Timaru. With six players away on the England cricket tour, it was an opportunity for some younger players to experience 1st XI hockey with an eye on the future. This proved successful, with the team competitive in all matches against mainly full-strength 1st XIs.
In the local competition, some positive hockey was played, with the team finishing 2nd overall following round-robin play, with five wins, one draw (to Timaru Boys’ High School), and one loss (to Christchurch Boys’ High School). In the play-offs, the team had a comprehensive 10–0 win over Cashmere High School, followed by a 2–1 win over Christchurch Boys’ High School in the semi-final to make its ninth final in 12 seasons – this time against St Bede’s College, who had upset Timaru Boys’ High School in the other semi-final. In the final, College did not play its best hockey, with St Bede’s College the better team and the deserving 2–1 winner. The Rankin Cup/India Shield Tournament was held in Wellington. College again qualified for the top-16 Rankin Cup section with wins over Paraparaumu College (3–2) and Cambridge High School (6–1) and a close 2–3 loss to New Plymouth Boys’ High School. In the top-16 knockout game, College beat Tauranga Boys’ College in an exciting shoot-out after the game was 3–3 at full-time. Next, was a quarter-final clash with Christchurch Boys’ High School and an opportunity to go deep in the tournament. Unfortunately, Christchurch Boys’ High School was the better team, playing with determination to win 4–1. A 1–3 loss to Wellington College followed by a 2–0 win over Saint Kentigern left College 7th overall. A commendable performance but also slightly disappointing given that Timaru Boys’ High School and St Bede’s College were the eventual finalists. This year’s 2nd XI team featured several returning players, along with a mix of young talent. By the end of the season, nearly 25 players – ranging from Years 9–13 – and
three goalkeepers had played for the team. The team was comfortably in 4th place after the first round. In the opening match, Darcy Laidlaw scored on full-time to ensure a thrilling 3–2 win over the Burnside High School 1st XI. College had a good win over the Rolleston College 1st XI, 4–0, but could not match the other 2nd XI sides in the first round, losing all three matches. In the second round, College started with another thrilling game against Burnside High School, taking a 6–4 win following a Harry Vaughan hat-trick. Next, the team played its best game to date, with a 4–4 draw against the top-of-the-table Christchurch Boys’ High School 2nd XI, having led the match 4–2 at one stage. A loss to Rolleston College and a win over the St Bede’s College 2nd XI, 3–1, left the team in 4th place. Team members will look back at key games where they may have contested for a higher placing in the local competition. In Winter Tournament Week, the team travelled to New Plymouth to compete in the Galletly Cup 2nd XI Tournament. In pool play, there were losses to Palmerston North Boys’ High School and Timaru Boys’ High School before a thrilling win over Tauranga Boys’ College, 2–1. Leading 1–0 with only minutes to play, Tauranga Boys’ College scored to level the match. College quickly returned to halfway, sent the ball around the back to the right side, and down to the corner with a cross through the circle to be hit home by Jaspar Thomas for a buzzer- beating win. The team then played New Plymouth Boys’ High School twice, vying for 5th or 6th in the final match. College played its best game of the season, showing control and tactical play only to narrowly lose, 1–2.
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