Rugby Union
2 XV
O
nd
ur pre-season training paid off
well in our grading games. We
blitzed the opposition and made
it into Premier 3 - our first goal
met, what a great start!
Our forward pack proved itself strong early on,
winning most of our scrums. Dominated by
our front row - Benji, Bernie, Fraser, Brandon,
Ata - & backed up by David, Avito, Nate, Joe, &
Sean. Niko had an outstanding season at #8
- stepping up to the role of Captain when Nate
was called up to play 1st XV. Despite an early
pre-season injury, Logan supported us as an
outstanding utility player.
RESPECT - ATTITUDE - PASSION
With the amazing boot of Viliami we lodged
point after point. Ruben and Isaac started well
whilst Aaron, Jaydon, Francis, Eddie, & Chris
remained solid throughout all our games. Ben
& Jordan both struggled to come back from
injury but managed solid performances. We
had a truly reliable half back in Codie who
played the most consistent rugby all season.
Injury is one word we could use to sum up this
season! Several players were called up to
support the 1st XV late in the season & with few
players available to us we finished the season
using players from the 3rd XV & U15's - namely
Brett, Tee, Jordi, Liam, Jesse, Junior.
Thanks to all the parents who gave their
support throughout the season - especially
Jeremiah who helped with coaching & warm
ups when Luka became unavailable, Shelley
for the sausage sizzle, Gus & Karen with the
infamous drinks trolley, and those of you who
helped to transport our boys around the region.
Without your support we would not have made
it through this very trying 2013 season!
Coach - Jason Gibb,
Assistant Coach - Luka Gibb, Manager Deborah Wright
U55s Captain’s
Report
Our team played really well with a number of
guys playing rugby for the first time this year
or in positions that they had never played in
before, however everyone was prepared to
step up and give their best for the team. One
player who had a brilliant season was our second five, Lupi Luka, who was the top try scorer
(18 tries) and top point scorer (100 points).
I really enjoyed this season and was very
proud to be a part of a team of young men
willing to throw everything
at it. I think our best game
was probably a 26 to nil
loss to St Pats Silverstream, as we were affected by injury quite badly
and were down to sixteen
men. St Pats pushed and
challenged us all day but
not once did anyone give
up, not once did anyone
drop their head in defeat
and that takes courage
and pride, to keep giving it your all until the
final whistle.
In the season we played eleven games, winning six, losing 4, with one draw. We scored
281 points and conceded 208.
Thanks to all my team mates and the coaching staff for a great season and I hope to see
all back next year where hopefully we can do
even better.
Sports & Cultural
T
his year St Bernard’s got an under 55’s rugby team together after not having had one in a while.
Our season started with a hiss
and a roar with wins over HIBS, Aotea
and St Pats Silverstream to qualify top
in our Division 1 grading pool. After
losing one of our top players, Sam
Gorham, with a broken hand we never
quite reached the same heights in the
reminder of the season finishing a very
respectable four in the grade.
Matthew Mann
U15s Captain’s Report
T
his year I had the great honour of
captaining the St Bernard’s U15
grade team. I was lucky enough to
lead a great bunch of boys. At the
start of the year we didn’t have a coach
or manager until Henry Fagaiava, Jim Millar and Wayne Armstrong came along to
offer their time for us. At the start of the
season we weren’t too hot, losing heavily
to St Pat’s town, but that was our first
game and from there on we made sure
we were match fit and ready enough.
(The Hennie Muller exercises on Wednesday really helped).
St Bernard’s College 2013
From then we played in second division and
won most of our games. Some of the main
games had to be when we played Wainui College four times and beat them three times!
Another would be our good win against Mana
College 31-17, the boys really showed Mana
what we were made of during that game.
All of this set aside, the U15 Hurricanes tournament was what we were waiting for that
season. Although we came in 12th (out of 16
teams) this tournament brought us together,
not only as a team, but also as brothers. We
looked after each other and always picked
each other up. We wouldn’t be able to play
as well as we did without the motivation and
skills taught to us by Henry and Jim. Also, a
gigantic thanks to our manager Wayne, without him we would be lost! He did a tremendous job getting us to games, and sorting out
all the paperwork behind the scenes. He was
a great help and is a great manager to have.
As to the boys, best luck for your rugby in the
future. Enjoy it!
Connor Millar
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