Boys’ centenary match a thriller for crowd
CHRISTCHURCH BOYS HIGH ST BEDES 13 7
ATA packed Rugby Park, a tight and torrid struggle was expected in the St Bede’s centenary fixture between St Bede’s College and Christchurch Boys High School, and both teams duly delivered.
St Bede’s dominated early possession and used their big forwards well, especially prop Jack Best and blindside flanker Misimoa Lamositele, to gain favourable field position. However, Christchurch’s defence was resolute and some nice touches from first-five Fletcher Smith eventually resulted in a Christchurch penalty chance after 17 minutes, which Smith kicked.
Despite being starved off the ball, the Christchurch backs looked dangerous and made three clean breaks in the first half, all of which were thwarted by St Bede’s. Christchurch second-five Anton LienertBrown looked especially threatening.
The second half started with Smith snatching a dramatic intercept to sprint 60 metres for the first try of the game.
St Bede’s responded by pilfering the kick off and spending nearly 10 minutes camped on the Christchurch goal-line. Christchurch lock Geoff Cridge was eventually sinbinned for persistent infringements and after concerted and vigorous forward attack, St Bede’s broke through when lock James Tucker skidded over for a try.
The turning point of the game was in the 55th minute when St Bede’s fullback Kuwae Kenichiro was charged down by Christchurch winger Myles Thoroughgood inside the St Bede’s 22. Thoroughgood took the ball to within a whisker of the line before recycling and allowing Anton Lienert-brown to stroll over in the corner.
St Bede’s spent the last 15 minutes in possession, but no matter what they tried, they failed to breach the resolute Boy High defence. St Bede’s won the ruck and maul count 112-41 but Christchurch took full advantage by breaking 19 tackles compared with seven.
In an outstanding match, blindside Hugo Nankivell was heroic for Christchurch and No 8 Brad Hemopo made some thunderous tackles. Tucker and Lamositele were strong contributors for St Bede’s.