SPORT Polo
College B/St Andrew’s College/ Rangiora Elliot Lee Loch Alexander Wilde Brabazon-Fleming Annika Ettema The College B team joined with two other teams to make a competitive group, playing three chukkas against Christchurch Combined A. As there were only a few teams in this grade, there were three pool games against Christchurch Blue. In the first game, College picked up the pace, demonstrating improved skills. Christchurch scored but it was very close, with College trying to find the goal. Loch had an impressive play and was just blocked at the goal as the whistle blew, with Christchurch winning 1–0. In the next game, College tried to direct the play. It did better but some accurate Christchurch shooting took the score to 2–0. The last game was difficult, with several attempts on goal. The game plan improved during the day and they should be proud, despite a 0–2 loss
MiC/Manager: Monique Ellis-Martin Coach: Charlie Wood
team came with speed, taking the ball and running it down the field quickly to put points on the board. College was quick to attack but struggled to find the posts, with many shots going wide. Another goal from the North Island team extended the lead, but Max Dormer showed perfect ball skills all the way down the field to score. After some great play from College, the team was awarded a penalty but could not score. In the final minutes, North Island scored to win 3–1. In the match against CBHS Combined. College played a defensive game by marking hard. Unfortunately, the ball went under the horse, and CBHS grabbed the opportunity to score. College played better but did not score, despite several opportunities. At the end of the first chukka, the score was 1–0 to CBHS. In the second chukka,
College played a stronger game. Both Matthew Geddes and Max had some great plays but the boys were unable to level the score, with the final result 0–1 to CBHS. FEBRUARY TOURNAMENT Sunday 25 February 2024 Waireka Polo Farm hosted the first tournament of the year, bringing together two mixed teams to play in the A and B grades. Over the past two seasons, we have lost several riders, dropping numbers to just four boys. It was the same situation for other schools, so we entered composite teams in both the A and B grades. It was great to see plenty of new players taking advantage of the ‘give-it-a-go’ session before the tournament. Hopefully, we will see an increase in numbers next season.
NOVEMBER TOURNAMENT Sunday 26 November 2023 Students gathered at Wariaka Polo Farm for the last polo tournament of the year, bringing together two mixed teams to play in the A and B grades. College B Elliot Lee Loch Alexander Wilde Brabazon-Fleming Honor Forbes The College B team joined with two other teams to make a competitive group, playing against Rangiora High School and Combined Schools before going into a play-off. In the first game, College was hard on defence as Rangiora showed speed and strong ball skills to win, 2–0. College played a better game against Combined Schools and fought back, but the opposition took the honours, 3–0. In the first play-off against Rangiora, it all came together for College, with the match decided on a run down. Beautiful stick and ball skills by Elliot and Loch resulted in a College win, 1–0. In the final game against Combined Schools, College marked harder and showed improvement defensively, but was beaten, 0–2. In the A grade, three teams featured – College, Christchurch Boys’ High School (CBHS) Combined, and North Island
MARCH TOURNAMENT Sunday 24 March 2024 On Sunday 24 March, Waireka hosted the final tournament of the season. With a significant drop in player numbers, many schools were unable to form teams. So, four even A/B teams were formed, with Christ’s College fielding a player in each team. It was great to see the experienced players taking the lead and encouraging the others. TEAMS Tigers Jessica Orr Charlie Somerville Annika Ettema Loch Alexander (Christ’s College) Lions Dan Howie Wilde Brabazon-Fleming Clara Forbes Matthew Geddes (Christ’s College) Leopards James Reid Andrew Messervy Olly McDonald Elliot Lee (Christ’s College)
Rangi Honor Forbes Jamie Messervy Tabitha White Max Dormer (Christ’s College) All teams were evenly matched, and it was good to watch the fun. Cup honours went to Max Dormer and the players from Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, with Matthew Geddes and the Lions in 2nd spot. AWARDS Colours Matthew Geddes, Max Dormer Matthew Geddes achievements Selected in the New Zealand School Squad and awarded Most Improved Junior Player in the South Island, moving to a 0 goal handicap. Max Dormer achievements Represented New Zealand against the United States and Harvard University in the schools team, and the South Island in the U21 team to play Australia. He was also selected in the New Zealand School squad with Matthew Geddes.
to Christchurch. College A/CBHS Matthew Geddes Max Dormer Charlie Somerville James Reid
For the first time in Christ’s College polo, the A team had to combine. It was the same situation for CBHS. The boys had played together at Medbury School, so it was great to see them unite. It was an excellent team, with solid connections. Max’s shot on goal was wide and Matthew dropped back to play defensively, helping to shut down attacks on goal. With time running out, Max got points on the board to take the lead. An even second chukka was very competitive. In the third chukka, the SUPA boys (Max and Matthew) combined to stretch the lead to 2–0. In the final chukka, the Barbarians finally scored but it was too little too late as the SUPA boys grabbed a goal to seal the win, 3–1.
Combined. College A Matthew Geddes
Freddy Scott Max Dormer Dan Howie/A Messervy
Monique Ellis-Martin MiC/Manager Polo
First up in the A grade was College vs the North Island. The northern
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Christ’s College Canterbury
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