Back to back victories for St Thomas at the Canterbury 9's!

Team talk

In a huge effort St Thomas of Canterbury College retained their title, winning the Canterbury Secondary School Junior Rugby League 9 aside for the second year in a row. Undefeated in pool play St Thomas came up against a Linwood High School team who weren't going to give an inch. The game went into two periods of golden point - sudden death before St Thomas forced a goal line drop out that linwood put out on the full. Kicking to win the game from directly in front, the kick deflected of the post, however quick ball movement resulted in a try in the corner. Having effectively played an extra game St Thomas went into the final against a large 
Shirley Boys High School team that had steamrolled their opposition. Some great tactical kicking and agressive defence saw STCC quickly go three tries up, and some great defence shut SBHS until Elisara Vaifale sealed the win with a runaway try right on the fulltime hooter.Player of the Tournament was Suli Sulimona, but it was a great team effort, with every player standing up and doing their part. The boys were fired up by a great group of supporters, a special thanks to Domanyc Fidow-Kele and Jalen Tangiiti-Turner for their work with the boys.Also Awesome to see Lincoln High School, the only other school from the western part of Christchurch putting a team in and coming third.

warming down

victory photo

Elisara Vaifale about to score as the final hooter sounds

dog pile as Elisara Vaifale scores on the final hooter