The competition resumed after the holidays with a good win over Rangiora High School before a close loss to St Thomas of Canterbury College after a drama-filled match. The final regular-season match was away at St Andrew’s College (STAC) and the team needed to win with a bonus point to make the semi- finals. College played with great determination and took control of the game in the first half. STAC rallied in the second half before College pushed ahead to take control with four tries. The road to the semi-final was tough but the team knew it had the opportunity to be successful by playing to its potential. St Bede’s College had only loss in the regular season, so College knew it would take something special to win. College delivered the performance of the season, scoring two tries in each half to take control. St Bede’s College scored in the last minute, but it was too late. College was in the final for only the third time since 2000. At this stage, Covid-19 disrupted the season for a second year. For several weeks, there was uncertainty about playing the final as players trained hard in their bubbles. Eventually, restrictions eased, and the team travelled to Nelson to play Nelson College at Trafalgar Park. Crowd restrictions meant only parents could travel but at least the match could be played. Nelson started the match strongly, but great defence kept the team out before tries for College from Sam Idiens and Jack Belcher, along with a conversion and penalty from Nic Shearer, gave the team a 15–3 half-time lead. Nelson came out strongly in the second half, fighting back to 15–10. A 30m rolling maul from the College forwards went close to scoring before Shearer put in a clever cross kick for Hammett to score, making it 20–10. Nelson replied with a converted try to bring it back to 20–17. Nelson turned down a penalty attempt and kicked to the corner to set up a match-winning try. For the second time in the season, Nelson won by two points, 22–20.
The match was a fitting final played on a fantastic surface at Trafalgar Park and the team knew they had given their all. Johnny Lee proved to be an outstanding leader of the team this season. He excelled through his composure under pressure, his willingness to lead by both actions and words and the high quality of his performances, week in and week out. This was rewarded with his selection as captain of the Crusaders Junior team. Johnny was ably supported by vice-captains Nathan McKenzie and Anton Marshall and the wider leadership group. Hendrix Taylor had a very good season at both hooker and loose forward and was rewarded by selection in the NZ Maori U18 team. He was also influential through his leadership of the team haka. A further five players were selected for the Crusaders Junior XV, which played the Highlanders in mid- October. They were Angus Hammett, Liam Jack, Jack Jones, Nic Shearer and Hendrix Taylor. Miles Toyota Championship results v Lincoln Combined won 73–7 v St Bede’s College lost 16–23 v Mid Canterbury Combined won 100–3 v Timaru Boys’ High School lost 19–21 v Christchurch Boys’ High School won 35–34 v Marlborough Boys College won 48–0 v Shirley Boys’ High School won 63–5 v Waimea Combined won 58–14 v Aoraki Combined won 29–0 v Nelson College
v St Thomas of Canterbury College lost 30–31 v St Andrew’s College won 29–26 v St Bede’s College won 26–23 (semi-final)
v Nelson College lost 20–22 (final)
Traditional Fixtures Otago Boys’ High School won 26–13 Quadrangular Tournament v Wellington College won 28–23 v Nelson College lost 25–27 Neil Porter Manager
2ND XV RUGBY Manager: Rob Donaldson Coach: Chris Hammett, Reuben Thorne, Casey Laulala Team: Reilly Reed (captain), Levi Astle, Jaiden Beer, Toby Beresford, Henry Blackley, Ned Botherway, George Clarke, Eugene Farrell, Max Harris, Kosuke Hashimoto, George Howard, Leo Jelley, Hanjun Kim, Abe McArthur, Gus McQuarrie, Archer Oliver, George Smith, Jack Thelning, Jackson Thomas, Angus Thorne, Tom Thyne, Sam Whitaker, Angus Wynn-Williams The boys were extremely fortunate to have had such a stellar trio of coaches this season and it was not surprising that a clear trend was improvement and development. The boys also benefitted from squad work with the 1st XV. The squad training improved the 2nd XV players’ skills and helped them feel part of an important mission for the season. Several players played games for the 1st XV or secured permanent promotion. The U18 Division 1 grade once again proved to be tough and competitive, especially with two Christchurch Boys’ High School (CBHS) sides and the St Bede’s College 2nd XV in the grade. However, the theme of improvement is evident in the
lost 25–27 (played during Quadrangular Tournament) v Rangiora High School won 50–12
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