Welcome!

Welcome to the latest newsletter keeping you in touch with the news from within the Christchurch Football Club.

Read on for more details…

A note from the Chairman

THANK YOU AND A CLUB DAY KICK OFF

Today we kicked off Club Day celebrations with a special Business Appreciation Breakfast at the clubrooms.

As a club we are blessed with a family of businesses and supporters who loyally support the club both financially and with countless hours of their time off the field.

The breakfast was a way of thanking everyone and welcoming them to the CFC whanau, it also gave them a sense of belonging to our great club, all these factors have helped us get through the hard times and celebrate the good times.

Our special guest speaker was Colin Mansbridge, CEO, of the Crusaders.

Colin gave us an understanding and background into the Crusaders current journey, their past successes, team theme’s, the media, and some surprising research insights.

CFC are extremely grateful that Colin was able to spare us his time. Leadership is easy when things are going well, its when the chips are down, we see what leaders are made of, Colin certainly is the right leader and is extremely positive about the Crusaders.

Good Luck for all teams, and supporters on Club Day Saturday.

Craig Calder

CFC Chairman 

Congratulations

A huge congratulations to Amy Du Plessis on being named in the Black Ferns Pacific Four Squad.

Can't wait to watch you smash it out on the field!!

Also, if anyone is wanting to watch a couple of other Black Fern players in action, we have Lucy Jenkins and Rosie Kelly taking the field this weekend in the Premier Womens team at 1pm.

Premier Mens Match Report

From the Sideline

Saturday 27 April played Belfast at Sheldon Park

Result: Belfast 29-21

Another great day for footie. Sun shining, good ground conditions. Little wind.

Christchurch without lock, Dom Brankin (injury), wing, Jack Caunter and midfielder, Mo Tau (work).

Four debutants: Tom Sexton, Eldon Craven, Liam Whitaker and Jack Hart started okay with the ball. Good early dominant scrum and a couple of opportunities inside the Belfast 22. However a lost ball, which would plague Christchurch first the rest of the game relieved the pressure for Belfast.

Within the first 20 minutes Belfast had made 3 midfield breaks, the last two resulting in good tries with the ball being moved swiftly through the hands to support running strongly. In between all Christchurch had to show was a penalty 12-3.

Christchurch came back and after a series of rucks near the Belfast line, the ball went wide, only for the wing to be bundled out in the corner.

A yellow card against Belfast for deliberate knock on gave Christchurch a penalty 12-6.

Belfast replied with a penalty 15-6, and then just before half time Christchurch edged closer 15-9.

The second half didn’t start the way Christchurch wanted. Within 5 minutes Belfast used the space and numbers out wide and went over for a good try, A couple of missed tackles didn’t help Christchurch's cause. 22-9. Shortly after Belfast stole the ball off an upright Christchurch player on halfway and only some scrambling defence stopped another try. A failure to protect the ball was causing serious problems.

Another try however, came soon after when Belfast moved it down the right flank a missed tackle and all too easy.

Christchurch were next to post points when after a penalty fifteen metres out they opted for a scrum, which to this point had been dominant. A series of rucks and Jake Tither playing lock crashed over among a sea of bodies, 29-16. With 15 minutes to go Christchurch made changes at half back and in the midfield, also changes in the front row.  This resulted in a previous dominant scrum, being given a work over by Belfast.

Two further errors by Christchurch didn’t help their cause when from a handy penalty on the Belfast 22 we lost the lineout.

Shortly after however Jackson Taylor the fullback outflanked a defender with a good in out, put a kick ahead regathered for a great individual try. 29-21. There was still time, however the game became messy in the last 8 minutes with both sides making errors, and neither team being able to capitalise on any opportunity.

Belfast no doubt elated. Christchurch ruing their mistakes.

IN SUMMARY,

As Steve Hansen would say, ‘Flush it down the toilet and move on.”

A word of the week coined by Club Chairman Craig Calder, when asked his opinion by some ridiculous part time journalist to sum up the performance by Christchurch.

"CLUNKY”

I had to google the meaning of this outrageous description and according to the Cambridge dictionary means solid in an ugly way🤭

I tried the Oxford dictionary🤭. Awkward or badly done. Clumsy.

I’ll leave it at that.

Disappointing after the last couple of weeks. Lineout went well early when Sam Lawry (7) was getting good ball at the front. Scrum again was very dominant early.

Josh Carr showed good leg drive when he came on in second half getting us going forward. However, advantage gained was lost with errors following. Oscar Bennett carried ball strongly in midfield, Connor O’ Brien worked hard in the front row. Zach Landon-Lane who suffered an injury early in the game was hampered as a result. The scrum lost its edge when he went off. Devin Lawson in his first game in the 11 jersey was safe under the high ball and carried strongly, particularly in first half.

Could not understand the reasoning however of him dropping so far back almost to the 22 on the blind when we had a dominant scrum on their line🤭

Work to be done before New Brighton on Club Day this week. A team we have not beaten for 5 years. This will be the real test this week. It won’t help with the Carr brother’s missing this week with a family commitment. However, we may see the return of half back Mitch Barry and lock Dom Brankin.

Thought for the week:

Do what has to be done, when it has to be done, as well as it can be done, and do it that way all the time. 

“Give 'em the Axe”

Run until you are buggered and then increase the pace.”

David Stuthridge

Sponge

Premier Womens Match Report

UC game review below:

Heading to the Ilam fields with a reduced contingent of players, the Christchurch Women knew they would need a lot of grit to take on the UC Viperettes on their home turf.

Boasting the return of all their Super Rugby Aupiki players, the Ilam bookworms created some deadly match ups and with a solid 9-10 combo creating quick ball from the kick-off and each ruck, the Christchurch Women struggled to keep afloat in the first half. Sharp as a samurai sword, Japanese import Masami Kawamura consistently dealt devastating tackle after devastating tackle, and while the Christchurch defence rallied in the second half, the early bites by Viperettes cut deep. 

Dominance in the set piece by Christchurch was one saving grace, regularly pushing UC over in the scrum and catching them napping in the lineouts, but these moments were unable to be capitalised on as a ragged attack and inexperience across the park left Christchurch scoreless. 

Christchurch will rally this weekend, with Black Ferns Lucy Jenkins and Rosie Kelly set to return to the red and black strip as we run out against Linwood at 1pm for Club Day. Get around the girls and come on down for a bevvy! 

Nina Poletti

Premier Reserves Mens Match Report

Crocs vs UCThis week the Crocs played Uni Premier Reserve at Uni. A lot of planning went into the logistics this week, with Uni not having enough facilities to host so many teams at home. Special mention to Grayson Mitchell for the huge effort he put into making sure all the playing kit, hit shields, balls and drink bottles were available for when the lads arrived at UC. Team managers put in a huge amount of Mahi every week, and it’s something Kyle and I are really grateful for.The lads started the game very well. Showing good physicality in defence and competing well at the breakdown. Rueben Fisher and Connor Mahan were outstanding, controlling the early phases of the game by kicking for field position. With a fast kick chase and strong defence, the Crocs managed to turn the ball over and apply pressure in the right areas of the field. Takehiro was really good in defence and his strong runs with ball in hand really helped to get the go forward the team needed. The set piece was a huge standout this week, George Gray causing a lot of trouble for UC at the front of the Line out.This was a performance the team could be really proud of, with multiple players playing out of position and not having a full bench of reserves. The players really showed what it means to them, to play for the jersey and each other.   A four try bonus point win, try’s being scored by Travis Moody, Takehiro Watanabe, Lachie Wells and Jade Kirk. A good day from the boot for Rueben Fisher scoring 3 from 4 conversions. Up the Crocs 

Matt Aked

A note from the President

Old Boys Reunion Day at the Club 16 June.  Get your former teammates together for an evening of fun and memories. Relive old times and enjoy the atmosphere the Club still provides. Discounted drinks on the night. Get on the phone and get your mates to again fit on their blazers or jerseys. Pack a scrum down, give a rendition of ‘Give 'em the Axe”

The floor will be yours.

Bob's Word

The Crusaders, much improved. Let’s hope the improvement continues.

A mixed bag for CFC teams over the weekend. I have heard on the grapevine that all CFC teams are saving their best for club day this weekend. I certainly hope so.

On the ‘Super Front’ it’s good to see the aussie teams in the main also improved this year but one can’t help lamenting the loss of the ‘yappies’ from this comp.

Not a great deal really to report except I’m looking forward to our Club Sponsors breakfast and hoping to hear some positive news from Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge.

Let’s get out and support our club on Club Day!

I will look forward to seeing you there.

Give 'em the Axe.

Bob

Junior Rugby

Two of our Year 7 teams Kiwi and Kea, headed south to Pleasant Point for a tournament on Sunday, they played fantastically winning all of their pool play, losing by one try in the final.

Well done boys, showing them how we play in the red and black!!

A note from coach Vicki Logopati-Campbell to her team after the first Monday night Girls only Grade.

Wow what a game today, we un-officially won 78 - 15., but you should be so proud of your girls. They displayed really good skills today.

Creating a back line for the ball to be passed through the hands all the way out to the wing. Forwards making busting runs and continuing to support each other ready for pop passes.

When we were tackled our stapling and bridging to protect our own ball was looking good. Tackling around the legs was strong.

We asked the girls to test their bridger by putting pressure on them and they did.

It was just really beautiful to watch.

Congratulations on making it through our first game for this term.

Gilbert Shop is open

This store is open for PRE-ORDERS ONLY.

The ordering window will close on 10th May.

Orders will then be despatched direct to customer approx.6-8 weeks after the closure of the store.

Please note: if orders are not over minimum quantities, then items may be removed from order and refunds processed.

Click here to go direct to the website.

Book this Venue

If you are a business that is looking for a central conference venue or meeting space with full catering and motel units, Christchurch Football Club is the perfect place! Members discount available.

Please contact: Jen Muller 021 0222 7810

Article added: Wednesday 08 May 2024