23 Aug 2009

Christchurch deservedly won the CBS Canterbury Trophy last Sunday with a convincing 19-3 victory over Linwood in the final at Rugby Park.

The red and blacks have been the most consistent side in Metro Division 1 this season and it is fitting that they have now added the Trophy to the CBS Canterbury Cup that they won earlier in the season.

Although the final was expected to be tight, Christchurch was too strong in the first half, being up 19-0 by half-time and never looking in danger of being defeated.

With the steady Tim Priest kicking 11 points, Matt Thatcher scoring a try and Canterbury representative Sam Monaghan adding a drop goal, Christchurch proved too strong in most areas of the game.

Christchurch co-coach Dwayne Predergast said after the match that he had noticed a sparkle in the eyes of his players and that he knew that were ready for a big match.

“They trained particularly well during the week. They were extremely focused and (co-coach) Brad (Mooar) and I knew that they had this performance in them.”

The Christchurch squad had got together last Saturday to go over a few things and Dwayne says that that also helped them keep focused.

For Christchurch it was a triumphant end to a season that had started late last year. A pre-season tour to Spain had seen on and off the field goals established, goals that had been re-evaluated after the senior squad was named.

“These guys have been a pleasure to coach and we have not had any trouble with them on or off the field,” Dwayne says.

“We have had some players come and go, but they have not caused us any bother at all. They have set high standards for themselves and they have lived up to them during the season.”

A secret to Christchurch’s success has been the extra individual work that they have put in. “We made 5.30 until 6.00pm the time when the guys would work on their individual skills. It was just so pleasing to see them out there doing the extra work on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

The red and blacks lost just one competition match – against Marist Albion. “With hindsight it was the wake-up call that we needed,” Dwayne says.

Beating Linwood, a club that has been a traditional foe, made the win doubly special for Christchurch. “We knew what it meant to a lot of the older guys in the club who have enjoyed a great rivalry with Linwood.”

As Christchurch celebrated its win on Sunday night, there was no talk of players retiring. Maybe some will, although Dwayne says that the bulk of the squad will be back to try and do it all again. “We may never again be together as a squad, but we have all become mates for life and that’s the beauty of rugby isn’t it?”

Ground 1 is closed for today July 29th