Welcome to this edition of our InTouch Newsletter

WEEKLY EVENTS

Firstly, a huge congratulations to our mighty CFC Women’s team for winning their championship for the second year in a row. It comes as no accident either as the culture that has been developed in this side over a long period is magnificent. These ladies have represented out great club with huge pride and have always played the game in an entertaining way.

I know that their coaches Ross Tarawhiti and Pete Manson will be absolutely chuffed. Well done to you all.

Div One albeit injury ravaged have made the playoffs but will need to be at their best against the ‘jersey pullers’ on Saturday. It was great to see so many youngsters putting their hand up against Lincoln Uni last week.

Great to see Ian “Yogi” McCaw down at the club last week. Yogi played for us in the mid-seventies and was a well-liked popular fellow.

Sadly I’ll be absent this week as a number of we CFC ‘older brigade’ venture to Auckland for the Irish Test which I’m sure will be a beauty.

I can assure you however the CFC App will be getting plenty of use on Saturday.

Good luck to all of you.

Give Em The Axe

Bob

FROM THE SIDELINE

Last game of the round Saturday for Premier men and just like the previous ten Saturday’s it was a great day for rugby. Sun shining and warm. We have been so lucky thus far. It was always going to be tough against perennial high flyer’s Lincoln University. However it became even harder with the absence of Tana Luke, William Mills, Nathan Evans, Dominic Brankin, George McLean, Ben Lopas, Tasi Valavala, Sam Tatupu, Chris King, Hamish Kilpatrick, Zac McKay, Dallas McLeod.  Add to this season ending injuries to Jack Capill, Reuben Spicer, Jack Kneebone, Sam Cotton, Hunter Wilson. Jack Stokes.

Tana was a late withdrawal on eve of the match due to the passing of his grandmother, and we pass on the condolences of the club to his family at this sad time for them.

Most, if not all of the above missing from last Saturday should be ready for this week’s important elimination final against Old Boys.

The team that suited up for the Lincoln University clash was made up, particularly in the forwards of members of the Premier Reserve Crocs, and Colts sides which had already played their matches on the Thursday and Friday respectively. A tough ask against one of the favourites to win the competition. However, they gave their best. Well led by captain Sam Stewart in the unfamiliar position of No 6 they more than held their own in the set pieces, and in fact in the second half had a territorial advantage. Only a couple of late tries from Lincoln University inflating the scoreline.

Lincoln University are a well drilled outfit, and with the ball they had, always looked likely on attack. All their tries were well constructed. However, Christchurch made them work, and were a little unlucky in the penalty count. A couple of errors also gifted Lincoln University tries.

For Christchurch the tight forwards battled hard. Young colt Zac Langdon Lane normally a No2 got through a lot of work from No 8.

Mike Molloy in the midfield carried on his recent impressive form with a couple of broken field runs which could have resulted in better outcomes.

Will Gaulter also in the midfield always posed a threat and was busy around the field.
Dan Smart, a half back recently returned from overseas to join the club made a good fist of his first start and was rewarded with a good try with some quick thinking.

Coach John (Shu) Sherratt was full of praise for his charges after the game and felt they could hold their heads high in the circumstances.

Well it is time to forget what has gone before in the past eleven games. Top eight and we are now faced with fifth placed Old Boys in an elimination final at Bob Deans field 2.45pm this Saturday.

A fresh beginning, and hopefully with everyone available and a good weeks training it is all on. It can be done. Marist Albion won the Championship last year coming from 7th.
There is nothing complicated. Play as a team to the very best of your ability and you have a chance. The mental aspect of your game now becomes more important.

What another great milestone for our women’s team, coached by club stalwarts Ross Tarawhiti and Pete Manson, getting home against a strong University team in the Women’s Final backing up from last year. It got as close as 7 points with 15 minutes to go, but the women held their nerve and with their fitness levels which I am sure the coaches have had a bit to do with this year, they came home strong. A very good side with a good mix of experience and youth. I must single out Lucy Jenkins the No 7 for an outstanding season. Not far away from a Black Ferns call up in the future, I am sure. Three tries in the final, although she let me down a bit, as before they boarded the van to head to the ground I asked her for four. I think we can all accept three Lucy.

A good turnout of Club members attended the final in support.
 

GREAT EFFORT GIRLS!!!!

Nomads and Colts both had important and close wins which keeps both teams in finals contention. The Nomads moving to 5th on the table of a seventeen-team field. They also have two games in hand.
 

Choppers and Crocs had both played mid-week and are likely out of contention.
However importantly they always show good support at the club, and are in good spirits.

Finally, a good turnout from Club members at the funeral of former RDO Mike O’Donovan mid-week. Both young and old all paying their respects to a good man who had made a significant impact at our club. Simon Kneebone former coach and RDO himself making the trip from Sydney to speak at what was a fitting service for Mike and his family.

Congratulations also to Poukie Mannering former player and captain of Championship winning Colts team  2012 on his marriage to Libby on the 3rd June.

Also congratulations to Zac McKay who has been selected for the Sth Canterbury Rep side to challenge Hawkes Bay for the Ranfurly Shield this Wednesday 29 June. Go well Zac, we wish you well. Not many players get the opportunity you have in what is one of the great traditions of (NZ) rugby. Club stalwart Craig Calder CEO of Sth Canty rugby, who is doing a great job for that union will be there supporting.

Great to see the Noosa Rugby club from Australia underage boys team over this past weekend enjoying the Club’s hospitality. By all accounts it was a great success, and there is already talk of some reciprocal arrangement perhaps next season.

Thought for the week.

Great moments are born from great opportunity. That is what our Premier Men’s side has this weekend. One game. It does not matter the previous result against this side.
They may have beaten you a couple of weeks ago, but not Saturday. This is your time.
All the hard work you have put in over the season comes to this.
Don’t wait for the light at the end of the tunnel. Stride out there and light the bloody thing yourself.

Run until you are buggered and then increase the pace.
“Give em the Axe.”

David Stuthridge
Sponge

THIS WEEKS DRAWS

Senior Draw

Junior Draw

PREMIER MEN’S REPORT

Premiers VS Lincoln 

19-8 HT 39-8 FT
 

A warm Saturday in the middle of winter proved a good crowd at Christchurch FC. The battle against Lincoln however was another tough week for the players and fans. The boys showed up in parts, but the speed of Lincoln was just too good in the end. 

A strong start for Lincoln allowed them to have their foot in the door early. However, some great line defense from the forwards grabbed a much-needed penalty on their line which sourced a new momentum for Christchurch. Some strong carries on both sides of the park looked promising for points on the board which Cole Spinks was able to convert for 3-0. Lincoln came back 3 minutes later, opening the red wall and scoring not too far from the sticks for 3-7. Almost immediately in the 17th minute Christchurch showed they wanted more than just 3 points. As the pods worked like pistons on each side of the ruck, Daniel Smart sniped through a gap giving Christchurch the lead 8-7. A fast game looked likely very early for the fans. 

Off the reset, Lincoln began to establish their dominance. With a camp set up in Christchurch's trenches the constant flow of forwards slowly crept to the white line. Lincoln came out with a try not long later in the 24th minute.

Christchurch showed glimpses of hope in the following 10 minutes. Some punishing turnovers and penalties allowed them plenty of possession in Lincoln's half, however, no points came. A Lincoln scrum in the 33rd minute, the early signs of exhaustion on defense for Christchurch. A wrap-around move left their winger a gap in the midfield, diving over for a halftime score of 8-19.

An optimistic set of locals outside the clubrooms appeared in the second half. The dreary Christchurch defense needed to do the opposite if they were going to get back into this contest. The glimmer of dominance for Christchurch was undone quickly by penalties. They found themselves stuck in their half early and it was just a matter of time before Lincoln gave them their fate. Which they did in the 50th minute for 8-24. With a sin bin for Lincoln, this was Christchurch's moment to strike. A real go forward had Lincoln on the ropes multiple times in the following 5 minutes. A penalty advantage allowed Connor Watherston-Spencer to throw a risky wide ball which again got them inches from the line. Yet again though, a penalty letting them off the hook. 
 

With 15 back on the field for Lincoln and only 12 minutes left on the clock it started to look out of reach for the home side. An intercept try and a last minute 80 meter run for Lincoln's replacement winger pushed the full-time score to 39-8. 

It was one of those games that you just had to be there to understand. I don't think 39-8 was a fair summary of the game but if you allow 6 tries against you unfortunately that's just the way the cookie crumbles. Christchurch are in desperate need to find their mojo back for the second round. The boys take on a strong High School Old Boys on the 2nd of July in hopes to regain some lost ground in the ladder.

PREMIER WOMEN REPORT

Goliaths of the women’s game clash in the Division 1 Premiership Final

I’ll need to apologise for the brief detail contained in this match report, because from kick off to the final whistle, the battle between Christchurch FC & University Viperettes was a fast, furious, and brutal collision of some of the top women’s rugby players in the country. Despite both teams missing their Black Ferns, match ups like Cindy Nelles vs Kaylee Tavendale, Marcelle Parks vs Greer Muir, and Jorja Simpson vs Patricia Hopcroft meant the fireworks started early and continued until the final minute.

With Nga Puna Wai’s stand full of enthusiastic supporters, the sun setting and the lights blazing, the 2022 Women’s Premiership final kicked off.

After a bruising opening encounter, Christchurch’s speed of play combined with brute force through the pack gave Canterbury FPC & CFC’s veteran Steph Te Oheare-Fox the opening try, swiftly converted by Super Rugby Matatu’s Isabella Waterman.

Only a few minutes later stand out loosie of the season Lucy Jenkins went over for the second try, with the conversion slotted neatly by an on-form Isabella Waterman bringing the score to 14-0 in the 16^th minute.

Not to be left behind, UC fought back minutes later for their first try from Stacey Niao. What followed was 20 minutes of lightening quick defence, thumping collisions that echoed around the park and neither team giving an inch.

The deadlock was broken in the 39^th minute by none other than Lucy Jenkins cutting a beautiful inside out line to receive the ball off the base of the ruck 5 meters out from the try line. Showing her consistency and skill, Isabelle Waterman slotted a third consecutive conversion bringing the score line to 21-5. It was UC that came out of the blocks quicker in the second half however, pulling back a converted try in the 43^rd minute to shorten the score line to 21-12.

As a spectator, it’s hard to describe the energy and the tension around the stadium. Although both sides put up extended time in possession and the others 22, with a close scoreline and plenty of energy left in the tank - this final was far from over. It was to be a dog fight to the finish.

Not wanting to be labelled ‘just’ a brutally dominating tackler, returning hooker Atlanta Lolohea muscled her way over the line for a converted try that would seemingly put Christchurch firmly in the driver’s seat at 48 minutes.

So back and forth you could be mistaken for watching a rather aggressive tennis match, UC refused to lay down and roll over – fighting to win back the title they won in 2020, only failing to reach the final in 2021. A successful penalty kick dragged 3 points back for the Viperettes, drawing the score up to 28-15, until Atlanta Lolohea crossed the whitewash yet again to bring the score to 31-15.

A converted UC try at the 67^th minute helped the Viperettes close the gap but after a mammoth team effort Christchurch pushed them back up the pitch for the final try by Lucy Jenkins in the 82^nd minute bring the final score to 38-25.

Like every other Club & team, Christchurch women had their battles to overcome this season. With a new looking squad - missing numerous heavy hitters & team stalwarts – CFC Women finished the season not only as Premiership Champions, but as a team of players that were committed to playing and fighting for each other; a fact that can be attested to by anyone that witnessed the 80-minute battle out there on Nga Puna Wai fields Saturday.

CFC Women would like to extend their sincere thanks to Nic, Hunter, his wife Lana, Bones and Jimmy for their tireless work and support of the Junior & Senior women’s teams. We would also like to thank coaches Pete Manson & Ross Tarawhiti for their 2 years of service, achieving 2 Premiership titles & retaining the Shield, we wish them all the best in their next endeavours’.

CFC JUNIOR CORNER

The juniors have had an action-packed week, with official team photos being taken, hosting the U15 Noosa Dolphins and U15 mini tournament on Sunday with Noosa joined by Cashmere and Merivale Papanui teams. One of the highlights of the week though, was our first “Nights Under Lights” games last Friday. Due to some issues with absences for this grade over the long weekend, we arranged for some of our U11 teams to play the usual Saturday draw teams at Christchurch Park on Field 1 under lights, followed by a quiz evening we had arranged for our visiting Aussie guests.

As you can see from the above, the clubrooms were absolutely packed to capacity and all our visiting clubs really enjoyed the facilities and hospitality. Junior teams taking part, got the opportunity to have a pre-match talk in the changing sheds prior to the game. There was singing, chanting and lots of fun for all involved, before they got the opportunity to run onto the field with the crowds of supporters cheering them on.

After the games, our visiting clubs, Sumner, New Brighton & Lyttleton all joined us for combined Player of the Day presentations, which were decided by our visiting U15 Noosa team, who were all assigned to respective teams during the games to look out for stand out players to be awarded to Sporting and Team Values. It was lovely to see the time and effort spent by the Noosa team to personalise each award as they were presented and then all teams shared some treats and hot food, while the supporters warmed up with some food and refreshments from our bar and restaurant.

Last Friday was so successful, we’re now aiming to try and role this out whenever we can throughout the rest of the season.

This type of event is not possible without organisation and support. In particular, the Junior Committee would like to personally thank Georgia Calder-Lee from the CRFU, Richie, Kara and Kylie as respective Club Captains from Sumner, New Brighton & Lyttleton and of course all the coaches, managers, parents and players for making last Friday happen.  All the clubs and teams showed great fun, positivity and spirit and the players will certainly have some great memories to treasure.

This week, we are pleased to be hosting Friday Night Lights for a range of CFC home derbys. First up are the U8 White Lions vs Red Dragons and U10 Kiwis vs Tuis, with a 5:20pm kick off. Immediately followed by CFC U12 Pango vs Ma at 6:30pm. Our bar and restaurant will be open, and we encourage you to come down and cheer these teams on. If you are keen to have your team play under lights, please get in contact with cfcjunior@christchurchpark.co.nz . We are working our way through the grades and teams, but can only make amendments, if both teams are willing to move the games to Friday nights.

Finally, we wish all our teams a great weekend – if looking for something to do, please come down to the clubrooms at one of the advertised opening times – you will be warmly welcomed!

CFC Junior Committee

SPONSOR RECOGNITION

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CFC Apparel

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THROWBACK CORNER

There has been sorting out of the records and archives in recent weeks. Thanks in particular to Alan Trent & Jerry Rowberry for all their work in this regard.

A few blasts from the past.
Christchurch Senior Men’s side 1960. Contained four All Blacks.
Ross Smith, Derek Arnold, Tiny Hill, Bruce Watt and former All Black Beau Cotterill who was then President of the Club. A great achievement in the history of any club.

Christchurch 3rd grade side 1960 featuring a young Mac Ferguson now a Life Member of the Club. Mac made the then Canty 3rd grade rep side in that season.

Photos kindly supplied by Alan Trent.

 

 

Article added: Thursday 30 June 2022