RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
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Mid year senior reports are due so time for an update on all teams as well:
1st XV Too easy - Too early" has not helped the side prepare as well as they should have for the business part of the season which has now begun, with traditional inter-schools on top of challenging competition fixtures. A major TEAM effort from all is necessary to gain the achievement levels hoped for.
2nd XV They have played some excellent rugby at times but still looking for that 70 minute performance. Will need to improve midweek efforts with more big inter-schools coming up. Remember Formals and rugby don't gel.
Colts Being extended in the Under 18 grade has seen these players step up even further and show their skill, talent and fitness levels are second to none on their day. They are a serious threat to the more fancied 2nd XV sides!
16 Blues A very good season to date with only the narrow loss away from home. Have trained hard on their team work and will continue to build towards being final contenders again this year. Not too much pizza for the front row after games..
15 Blues The challenge of the Under 16 Grade has meant these players have had to dig deep at times and also suffer a couple of losses which most were not accustomed to in their junior careers. However they have made favorable strides and hopefully will continue to develop positively towards competing in the National Under 15 Tournament in Christchurch later in the season.
15 Whites Our 6th fifteen are handling the opposition very well to date especially when you consider they are playing the Kavanagh and West Otago's 2nd XVs, East Otago HS 1st XV and St Kevins, Dunstan, South Otago and McGlashan's 3rd XVs all carrying more senior players. Keep training hard guys and claim a few more well earned wins.
15 Golds The ledger is delicately balanced at present and it will need a dedicated and consistant effort for it to be in the black. Nevertheless this side is enjoying their rugby losing only to Bayfield/Pirates 2nd XV, Taieri College 2nd XV and South Otago as this goes to print.
14 Golds Our Year 10 team started the season slowly and received a big wake up call from our Year 9 Blues side. They will have learned a huge lesson from this and appear to be now more focused both at training and on game day. Kia Kaha! Remember too many lollies are bad for you.
14 Blues This side has settled in superbly to High School rugby with lifting in the lineouts, competitive scrummaging and "cleaning out" at the break down all taken aboard. Some seasoned players in key positions have been well supported by others adjusting to new positions and they are growing as a TEAM each game.
14 Whites This side bounced back after early season losses and showed their spirit and determination by scoring some excellent team tries and deservedly winning games. Every game will be hard fought with most opposition sides being that schools top Under 14 team - so keep up the good effort boys.
13 Blues This side has proved too strong for all the opposition Clubs so far and being the only High School in this grade there are plenty of detractors - but when all the players are under 13 why shouldn't they play where they are and what's more be good ambassadors for OB's Rugby. Let's retain that Shield boys!
TRAIN HARD - PLAY HARD PLAY HARD - PLAY FAIR
Neill Baker
Rugby Master
After a busy build up of registrations, training runs, trials and pre season games the competition fixtures are now upon us. The Senior Squads came together after holiday games against Roncalli College (won 24-15), Shirley Boys’ High School (won 53-17) and St Thomas’s College (won 24-17) and also the Colts team played Oxley College from Sydney (won 31-19).
I urge parents to introduce themselves to the coaches as some play themselves and will need to leave early or be unable to travel away when the team plays outside Dunedin – your assistance is vital.
Also a big thank you to those parents who attended the Rugby Club meeting in March, your interest and support is greatly appreciated. The clubs major fundraising drive is once again the cattle grazing where the club purchases calves which are adopted and raised by families to be sold as yearlings. If you can assist with this venture please contact stock agent Geoff Edgar (03) 489 7474 or phone school (03) 474 3048.
Already some most welcome sponsorship is benefiting rugby in the school and we hereby thank Pyne Gould Guiness for their transport subsidy; Fisher Foods for drink bottles; The Building and Construction I.T.O for gear bags and bottles. If there are others able to assist please contact the school (for example a company willing to sponsor a set of jerseys with their names on). The early season results have been most encouraging with some very good wins. Also pleasing has been the presentation of the players both on and off the field – well done and keep it rolling!
I wish everyone an enjoyable and successful season.
TRAIN HARD – PLAY HARD PLAY HARD – PLAY FAIR
Trials this week certainly sorted out those who had prepared themselves for the new season and those who have much hard work ahead of them if they are going to perform well come game day on Saturday April 24th (first Saturday back Term 2). Once teams are listed the team practices will commence on Tuesday April 20th 3.00pm – 4.30pm and Thursday April 22nd 3.30pm – 4.30pm after school. All teams except the 1st and 2nd XV’s train at the Logan Park / University Oval grounds with buses provided both to and from there, returning to school around 5.00pm.
Thank you to those parents who have indicated a willingness to assist with their son’s team. If everyone works together in area such as transport, regular attendance at both games and practices, property, dress and general on and off field behavior the season will go smoothly with a great deal of enjoyment for all.
We wish the senior squads playing holiday fixtures against Roncalli College in Dunedin (Easter Friday) Shirley Boys’ High School and St Thomas’s in Christchurch, and Oxley College from Sydney (Wednesday April 14th) all the best.
Mouth guards are available at the main school office for only $3.00, and while team water bottles are provided, a personal one is most valuable. Playing gear is sole through Mr Hoffman at the school sports store. All boys must be properly equipped to commence the season. A 2010 Calendar for the year has been issued to all players and is very valuable in planning the season ahead – please remember a commitment to the team is top priority throughout the whole season.
I look forward to a successful season for the School Rugby Club and thank all concerned in advance for their efforts.
TRAIN HARD – PLAY HARD PLAY HARD – PLAY FAIR