Waihi College Rugby Season Wrap 2011

1st XV

 The 2011 Waihi College 1^st XV have had some great results this season, and have finished the regular season in second place behind Hauraki Plains College 1^st XV. They host Thames in a home semi final on Saturday August  13^th, and will be looking to build on their outstanding come from behind win over them several weeks ago, after being down 22-0 at half time.

The Waihi College 2011 1^st XV have won 10 from 13 regular season games this year, with losses to Hauraki Plains (2) and Te Aroha College (1). The boys avenged their loss to Te Aroha College with a 39-0 win over them during the shorter 40min format of the games during their successful Australian Tour in July.

Many thanks must go to coaches Reuben Wells and Ray Crawford, Manager Rob Gwilym and Advisor Ross Cooper for such a great season. 

Development

 Like the 1^st XV, the 2011 Development team have also had a great season, finishing second in their regular season. They will host Hauraki Plains College in a home semi final on Saturday August 13, playing the curtain raiser to the Waihi – Thames 1^st XV semi.

The boys are hoping to use their home advantage and their 2 wins from 2 record against Hauraki as motivation for their semi final, after which they will be looking to meet Thames, the only team they have not beaten this year. I would like to thank Ewen Campbell for coming on board partway through the season to help coach, and would also like to thank Marty Kingsford and Jon King for their assistance during the year.

4th Grade

 The 4^th grade team began the year with some great results under new coach Nani De Ocampo, who was later joined by Clarke Koopu and former Waihi College 1^st XV Captain Louis Namana as assistant coaches.

 The 4^th grade team have continued the great year of results for Waihi College rugby by finishing 3^rd in their grade, earning themselves an away semi final vs Paeora College after a narrow loss last weekend.

 Many of the players have found the competition and training an extra step up from their previous year of rugby, and have had to work hard to gain the results they have achieved.

I would like to thank their Manager Debbie Fransham her hard work and organisation with the team.

Rugby Tour Team.

On July 7^th the 2011 Waihi College Rugnet Tour group travelled to the Gold Coast, Australia, to compete in the 2011 World Sport rugby carnival.

The Rugby tour team achieved great success, coming runner up in the u18 Open Red division.

The team played two 40min matches per day over a 3 day period, with the players fitness being severely tested in the hot weather. Along the way they achieved some solid wins, including a 39-0 result against Thames Valley rivals Te Aroha College.

Following the main competition the team then took out the Open 10 aside tournament, winning the final against Aranmore College – the only team to beat them in the pool round of the main competition.

On top of this success, the team received the ‘Kooga Sportsmanship’ award, as voted by the referees and officials, for their excellent conduct during all matches.

Shannon Smith
Waihi College TIC Rugby & Development Coach.