2010 1^st XV Team Report

The 2010 Press Cup season proved to be very challenging on many levels. The first challenge which proved too hard to overcome was repeating the 5^th placing in 2009. The second challenge was the draw which when circulated in late 2009 raised a few eyebrows. It was going to be a difficult task gaining momentum for our season with the ardous task of the first 5 rounds which started with St Bedes and was followed by Nelson, St Andrews, MBHS and CBHS. A tough start to the competition with the five teams all finishing in the top six. As a team we were battered and bruised at the end of these first five games and it took us quite some time before we recovered both physically and mentally.

There were some positives to come out of the beginning of the season a great comeback to get within five points on Marlborough boys in Blenheim, a great first twenty minutes against CBHS before we had a player red carded and a good quality performance against Nelson. After the boys dusted themselves off we started to get the show back on road with victories over Waimea, Burnside, Lincoln and Ashburton. The victory over Waimea in Nelson was of particular note and with several injuries our depth was tested. A key moment in a season was a narrow loss to SBHS where we did enough to win the game only to let ourselves down with some tired defence allowing SBHS to attack from deep and steal the game in the last quarter.

Our best moment of the season came on the stage that is AMI stadium. We were given the opportunity to play Timaru Boys High School as a curtain-raiser to the Canterbury vs Hawkes Bay game. In what was our best performance of the season the boys played to their potential in out-classing Timaru in a memorable performance a great memory and a fantastic experience. The team showed great resolve to finish out the season and claim the Bowl after dispatching a spirited Lincoln High School in the Semi-Final and a resilient Waimea in a tense and thrilling Final. It was the character that was displayed in dying minutes against Waimea and in the game against Timaru that demonstrated what impact this team could have had on the Press Cup in 2010 had it been allowed to gain some early momentum in the competition through a different draw and without some key injuries in the early games of the season.

I would like to thank co-coach Hamish Barclay, managers Marty Taylor and Brian Roughan, our rugby administrator Sue Riley and the coaches of the 2^nd XV Paul McCarthy and Gavin Wilson for lending player on several occasions. Lastly I would like to thank the players that made up the 1^st XV for 2010 I have enjoyed their humour and camaraderie, their hard work ethic and their search for excellence.

THE PLAYS

Viliami Vete overcame some early season fitness issues to become an outstanding prop forward. He ended the season as top try scorer with nine close to the line he was unstoppable.

Luke Payne Injuries early in season hindered Luke hitting his straps but he was a valued team member and a great lifter and organiser at Lineouts. Country U18

Jordan Koloamatangi (captain) a fantastic season Jordan led from the front all season he was a great ball carrier often allowing our team to get on the front foot. He gained our player of season trophy. Metro Development U18

Ietitia Noa a bruising player who was unstoppable with ball in hand and a tough defender. A player who could change the momentum of the game.

Horan Vaifale Started the season very strongly. A very strong player with an ability to off load in the tackle, fitness issues late in the season hindered his ability to gain a starting position.

Gerrard Radburnd The glue that kept the forward pack together, a real work horse tireless at the breakdown and a great team man. Gerard's calm approach kept the forward pack focused particularly at lineout time.

John Strang was awarded the best trainer award and spent the early season on the bench but came through late in the season with starts and key performances against TBHS and both the semi and final of the bowl. A tireless worker at the breakdown.

Todd Pratley was the youngest player in the squad who played lock and all three loose forward positions. He is a player with tremendous potential, tenacious on defence and quick to react on attack.

Marii Vili started the season in the backline and finished as an accomplished blindside flanker. A bruising defender and a player with a very high work rate. He will have a big 2011.

Richard Moale was awarded both most valuable player and best forward as the season progressed. He became one of the most dominant forwards in the competition and his performance against Timaru will be remembered. Metro development U18

Matt Elia began the competition under a lot of expectation and early positional changes had an impact on his performance. He overcame this with brilliant late season performances especially against Christ College and in the final against Waimea. He gained the outstanding achievement of selection in the NZ U17 team. New Zealand U17, Southern Regions Secondary Schools, Metro U18.

James Johnston had strength in kicking particularly box kicks. He was always 100% committed to winning and this showed in his dogged defensive qualities.

Daniel Kahura started as our loose forward and finished as an accomplished 1^st 5/8. He has an excellent skill set and a great tactical understanding. Once he believes in his ability he will be a dominant force in Press Cup 2011.

Kasiano Petelo was in his second year of Press Cup and was a key component of the backline. He could threaten with his attack and defence as well as being an extremely accurate goal kicker.

Patrick Stehlin was a third year player and was a go-to man through-out the year who showed that he was able to cut through any defence and deliver hits when on song. Hampered by a broken hand which kept him out for the first month. Metro U18

Hayden Pluck came into the year as an unknown having not played for two years. He quickly showed against St Bedes that he had excellent skills and became a solid dependable player who could be relied upon.

Josh Tansey showed that persistence pays off. He started as the incumbent winger but lost his place. Josh worked extremely hard at training to improve and forced his way back into the line up to finish the year strongly.

Tom Scott was in his 4th year in the team and showed his leadership. He was a hard working player at the back who showed brilliance under the high ball throughout the year. Has served St Thomas rugby well during his time.

Caleb Raweiti came over from senior league to play for school in his last year. He struggled with some interpretations and not having a position but eventually found his way to the wing and when he backed himself showed he had what it took.

Others who contributed throughout the year

Kris Moir, Joe Dickson, Harry Green, Ben Laughton, Andy Black, Frazer Austin, Simi Petelo, Phillip Vaifale, Elia Elia, Cameron Cowie and Leroy Brown

STC RESULTS 2010

Ten a- side

Vs. Burnside HS                     12-12

Vs. St Bedes                           0-38

Vs. STAC                               32-26

Semi-Final

Vs. Christ College                   7-26

Rockhampton Grammar      42-26

CBHS Tournament

Vs CBHS B'                           14-6

Vs. Trinity College                  38-0

Vs. Brisbane Boys Grammer  41-22

Vs. Ormiston College             58-0

Vs. St Kevins                          31-0

Vs. Otago Boys HS                17-17

Vs. Waitaki Boys                    17-20

 

PRESS CUP 

Vs. St Bedes                           6-37

Vs. Nelson                              10-26

Vs. STAC                               12-39

Vs. MBHS                              17-21

Vs. CBHS                               8-61

Vs. Burnside                           24-10

Vs. Waimea                             17-15

Vs. SBHS                               18-25

Vs. Ashburton College           51-15

Vs. Lincoln HS                       22-12

Vs. Christ College                   5-48

Vs. Roncalli                            0-24

Vs. TBHS                               28-18

BOWL

Semi vs Lincoln                     20-10

Final Waimea                        8-3