In the 100 year history of St Bede’s College, 2009 holds a special place. The school magazine reflected; “2009 can arguably be called the most successful rugby season in the school’s history. Building on from last year’s success the team once again went unbeaten in the Press Cup, became South Island Champions with a narrow win over Southland Boys High School and defended the Trustbank Cup 24 times. Additionally St Bede’s and made the final of the New Zealand 1st XV Championship.”
The Team
Head Coaches: Gerry Davidson, Mark Vincent
Captain: Nick Howie
Players: Conon Monyihan, Mark Ocwich, Iialio Lamositele, Shayne Anderson, Robbie Connell, Alex Finnigan, Thomas Barclay, Jonty Stuart, Carl Jeffs, Zac Southern, Oliver Dimmick, Kengo Kitagawa, Jack Higgins, Devlin Hope, Zac Lilley, Epalahame Toma, Ben Corston, Rhys Llewellyn, Michael Stewart, Logan Taylor, Nick Howie, Tim Smith, Tyson Kamo, Michael Gardner, James Scharder
The Numbers
Played: 19
Won: 18
Lost: 1
Points For: 736
Points Against: 104
Average Score: 39-5
Opponents Kept Scoreless: 8
Top Points Scorer: Logan Taylor (101), Zac Southern (94)
Top Try Scorer: James Scharder (14)
The Press Cup
- Shirley Boys High School, 31-0
- Waimea College, 39-0
- Christ’s College, 29-5
- Christchurch Boys High School, 11-9
- St Thomas’ College, 38-7
- Marlborough Boys College, 46-17
- Burnside High School, 68-10
- West Coast Schools, 106-0
- St Andrew’s College, 50-0
- Nelson College, 22-5
- Timaru Boys High School, 24-0
- Lincoln High School, 47-3
- Christ’s College (Semi Final), 34-0
- Nelson College (Final), 32-6
Note: Every game of the Press Cup was for the Trustbank Cup to.
Traditionals
- St Pats Silverstream, 33-0
- St Kevin’s College, 83-0 (Trustbank Cup)
National Top 4
- Southland Boys High School (South Island Final), 17-16
- Napier Boys High School (Top 4 Semi Final), 26-9
- Hamilton Boys High School (Top 4 Final), 0-17
Season Notes
- St Bede’s won the pre-season Tens Competition for a third year in a row, winning six games and scoring 173 points while conceding only 17. That meant the record for the whole season was 24 wins in 25 games with an average winning score of 36-5.
- St Bede’s ended the season with an unbeaten run of 28 games in the Press Cup.
- 34 players appeared in total with 10 returns from 2008.
- Logan Taylor scored all eleven points in the nail-biting 11-9 victory over Christchurch Boys High School. This included a drop goal with his less preferred left foot.
- Rhys Llewellyn was the star of the Press Cup semi final scoring two tries in a 34-0 romp of Christ’s College.
- The final of the Press Cup was played at Rugby Park in Christchurch. St Bede’s won against Nelson, 32-6 scoring five unanswered tries. Tyson Kamo collected two, Michael Stewart and Logan Taylor scored a try each with Taylor adding three conversions and two penalties.
- Both traditionals were won by record scores.
- The South Island final was won by Logan Taylor, in the last minute, with a penalty after Southland with their much larger pack had taken the lead with a penalty try in thick mud.
- St Bede’s lost the Top 4 final to Hamilton Boys High School. The unbeaten Super 8 champions only lost a single game themselves during the season.
- St Bede’s achieved their best result at the top 4 since 1983 where they were also second.
- Logan Taylor ended his 1st XV career with 381 points.
- Michael Stewart made the New Zealand Schools team. In all 18 players had some form of representative honour.
- The captain Nick Howie brought up 50 games for the First XV during the season. He was described as a tireless worker and he scored six tries.
Acknowledgments: St Bede’s School magazine 2009, Clare Kissick