SCHOOLS PREMIER 1ST XI COMPETITION vs Christchurch Boys’ High School A feisty affair at times, with both teams getting stuck in physically, but also playing some good football. College started in an untidy fashion and, after giving up possession too easily, found themselves under pressure. After an early penalty for CBHS, College was behind 0–1. Kynan Salt equalised, then College pulled ahead with a sublime goal by Kosei Oikawa. Year 11 debutant Robbie Ward turned in an excellent performance, linking well with Kosei and Kynan in midfield. Sam Averill was rock solid in defence, and scored College’s third goal. A missed tackle allowed CBHS back into the game, but College held on for a 3–2 win. Year 11 students Spencer Smith, Gabriel Gallaway and Andreas Gormack also made their debuts. A positive start to the season, but not a perfect performance. vs Cashmere High School A pretty even match, with both teams playing good football and chances on goal few and far between. There was a bit of heat in some of the challenges as both teams got frustrated at not being able to find a way through to score. Solid work by Ben Abbot up front and Caleb Palmer and Kynan Salt in midfield showed glimpses of potential, but College lacked a penetrative edge. Both teams had passages of controlling the game and there was a lot of running in behind lines, but with no reward. With a couple of minutes to go, Cashmere managed to score. The 0–1 loss was frustrating, but it was a good game between two very good sides. vs Rangiora High School A comfortable, yet somewhat flat performance. College dominated the game, controlling possession and territory. The passing patterns and structure were solid, yet somehow the game lacked tempo. Kynan Salt had a strong game in midfield, and Kosei
Boys’ High School and a 0–1 loss against eventual competition winners Cashmere High School. These games were debut games for promising young players Spencer Smith, Gabriel Gallaway, Andreas Gormack and Robbie Ward. The return of Year 12 student Kosei Oikawa also added another quality player to the team’s ranks. On paper, the 1st XI looked to be one of the strongest in terms of talent and potential. Unfortunately for the team, the way the year played out meant they did not get all the opportunities they would have liked to demonstrate this. College was placed into pool A of the premier competition, along with reigning champions St Thomas of Canterbury College, traditional rival St Andrew’s College and some tricky sides like St Bede’s College and Lincoln High School. The team felt winning this pool was certainly achievable and, as it turned out, they were right. College went through the pool with only one loss to StAC, turning in some gritty efforts with a come from behind 2–1 win over Lincoln and the same over St Bede’s. It was the dogged, determined effort against St Thomas that was probably the result of the season. In a game of missed chances, close calls and some tension, the team came away with a 1–0 win, an invaluable three points, and the Connetics Challenge Shield. The first time College has held this shield since its inception. With pool games out of the way, there was a scheduled bye week in the hope that the national tournament could go ahead. College’s top spot in their pool would have qualified them for nationals for the second year in a row, but the tournament was cancelled. A South Island premier tournament nearly got the green light, but logistics and risks meant this too was cancelled. Instead, College used the bye week to host an exchange with Nelson College, which was a great opportunity to keep building on recent progress and maintain momentum. Daniel Metherell had
an outstanding game in the midfield, along with Spencer Smith and Gabriel Gallaway. Gabriel scored twice, including his maiden 1st XI goal. College controlled the majority of the territory in the first half and created better chances, however, Nelson opened the scoring. College fought back and into the lead thanks to Gabriel. His second goal – perhaps the goal of the season – came via Kosei Oikawa and a deft cross by Robbie Ward for Gabriel to head home. Nelson came back at College in the second half, but College defence held firm. Caleb Manson secured the win by finishing off a direct long ball. It was a good overall performance by College and a deserved 3–1 win. The final two games of the season were play-off games for the premier competition. College lined up against Papanui High School in the semi- final and, with the added pressure of trying to defend the Challenge Shield, it was a big encounter. The wind was a huge factor in this game. College was up 2–0 at half-time with the wind at their back, but Papanui fought back to win 2–3. In the play- off for 3rd and 4th, College again faced StAC, and claimed 3rd place with a 2–1 win – the highest finish by a College team since the change to Wednesday night competition. The close of the season brought to an end some long-serving College football careers. Year 13 leavers included captain Kynan Salt and goalkeeper Ben Cornell, who both played 50 games for the 1st XI, plus team stalwarts John-Paul Lay, Ben Abbot and Sam Averill. Jake Tacon also reached his 50th game milestone, which is a significant achievement for a Year 12 student. With the majority of the squad returning next year, the team will hopefully continue to build on the success of 2020, and go that one step further to make the final of the premier competition.
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