Teamwork, determination, celebration

21 Jul 2020

Sometimes it only takes one point – and one point was all that was needed to secure College the win in the annual College vs Christchurch Boys’ High School rugby match, played on Upper on Saturday 18 July.

Playing in tough conditions on a wet and muddy field, both teams were focused, neither willing to give an inch. College opened the scoring with a penalty by Nic Shearer, but a counterattack and try by CBHS saw them take the lead. Then it was back and forth, first one team then the other adding points to the board until, when the whistle blew at half-time, College had secured an 18–15 lead.

The boys in blue and black came out fired up and on attack at the start of the second half, and quickly scored another try. College didn’t cave under pressure, however, remaining strong on defence and creating some wonderful attacking opportunities. CBHS then secured a good 18–27 lead after a spectacular intercept saw one of their players run straight down the field to score. But this setback only made College all the more determined and they soon managed to turn the game around. A drop goal closed the points gap and then, in the final minutes of the match, Jack Jones scored under the posts and Nic slotted the conversion home, taking the score to 28–27 to College. Despite a determined pushback by CBHS, College defence held until the final whistle – and the school could celebrate a well-earned victory.

Sean Rutherford-Bradford, Angus Hammett and Jack Jones scored College tries; Nic Shearer aced two conversions, a drop goal and two penalties; Fiti Sa was named Man of the Match for his untiring effort in every aspect of the game; and captain Fletcher Anderson was awarded the accolade Sky Sports Player of the Day for his exceptional leadership and ball in hand play.

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