Welcome!

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

Join us this Saturday at the club - $20 All Blacks platters from @eatfoodtruck_ to share with your mates and whānau.

Option 1 - Loaded waffle platter

Option 2 - Mixed platter (fries, chicken wings, spring rolls, samosas, fish bites)

Make sure you are here for the half time raffle, for your chance to win a meat pack plus a Speights BBQ apron!

Read on for more details…

Premier Men's Match Report

HT: 7-12 

FT: 14-38

The Premiers took on New Brighton for the bottom 4 qualifying match. Winners survive another week in the bottom 6 semi-finals, losers off to play for the wooden spoon. 

New Brighton are never an easy team, at home even harder. Having said that though CFC fancied their chances and with nothing to lose headed to the sea-side to give it their all.   

Both teams, evenly poised and it wasn’t until the 16th minute that New Brighton eventually crossed the line for an unconverted try. Not deterred 5 minutes later front rower Jacson Edie was the beneficiary of a forward drive and crossed over with Mitch Barry converted. It had been a while since we could say CFC were winning a game.

New Brighton hit back just before half time with a converted try. At the oranges break CFC were down 7-12. A good half time chat, with no lollies, the lads starting the second half really well. Once again, good play by the forwards had Zach Landon-Lane crossing over for a meat pie and again Mitch Barry converting. CFC in the lead again 14-12!

The lead was short lived as New Brighton lifted their game. For the remainder of the match they played for territory well and capitalising on CFC errors were able to score an unanswered 26 points to give the panel beaters a comfortable 38-14 win.

This week is the game that no one wants to be in. 11th-12th play off against Shirly at Burwood Pk.  Having been there the season prior, it will inspire the lads to give it everything they have and avoid that last place. Having beaten Shirley earlier in the season I am sure they can do it again, by more, ending on a high.

Bones

Premier Reserve (Crocs) Match Report

Following on from our second close loss against Sydenham last week, it was a must win against UC. 

Looking back at our last match-up, it was a game that the Crocs couldn't really look back on too fondly. Not because it wasn't a great win, but because the team wasn't exactly whole. Players like Cyril at 9, and probably Mikey Shearer on the wing - fortunately since then, the squad has recovered and put more effort into making it to trainings and games. A big shout-out to the Colts boys in particular for helping out when we needed an extra pair of hands.

Originally, this game was meant to be at home for the Crocs, but due to a 'lack of refs', we ended up back at Ilam Fields and as anyone who has played there before knows (especially near the end of the season), they are a boggy mess.

Heavy underfoot didn't seem to bother boys.

Kick off came, and it wasn't long until we were able to dot down for our first try of the match. A lovely few phases, sucking in the defence with our pod structure, before swinging the ball wide to Lachie Wells, who still had a bit of work to do before crossing the line.

Fish obviously has some work to do with Manager and Kicking Coach extraordinaire Grayson Mitchell, wasn't his greatest day off the kicking tee; 2/5. But he was doing a great job in the 15 jersey. His communication, counteract and connection with the back three was excellent.

Kick chase and counterattack has been a focus for Kyle and Matt, it is where we have lacked discipline and leaked some easy points in a few games prior. So great to see that improving, but as always, still some work to do.

But it did slow down a bit for the remainder of the first half, the game was far from over and UC had managed to sneak in a try under the sticks to give themselves 7.

Then, the game opened up; space opened up. Patience on attack, connection on defence, fantastic counterattack and a great effort with our support play led to a few more tries.

The line outs were humming this game, stealing a number of pill from UC and allowing us to set up some wonderful attack off a penalty. A beautiful turnaround, almost marginal pass, tip ball to Henry 'Hamstring' Simcott from Travis Moody opened up a paddock of space for Henry to glide through for the try. 

Additionally, tries were scored by Cyril Tamou (who would not be stopped this game), Cole Mountford and Delvyn Waddell. 

A real and great team win that will hopefully bolster the boy's confidence in their own ability heading into another must win this weekend. 

We are back at home on Saturday, hopefully on Field 1, against a plucky Belfast side with, like us, a lot to prove. Look forward to seeing everyone there for a great game of footy!

UP THE CROCS!

Player of the Day: Travis Moody

Connor Kitto

Classics (Choppers) Match Report

Saturday saw us play our final game for the season & travel to the Belfast snake pit & partake in a game of 3 halves against the Belfast Munchers & Old Boys Keith's. Being a bottom of the table clash for 3 teams involved it was a chance to have one last run & a bit of fun.

Due to low numbers, it was decided to play a bit of 10s & as the menage trois kicked off with us firstly taking on Old Boys, it was apparent our fitness was going to be tested on the boggy heavy field & Old Boys figured out first how to adapt to the open space & opened up their account. 

A bit of to & fro eventually saw Old Boys take the win & we went side line tp watch the other teams duke it out whilst replenishing our depleted bodies with some light refreshments.  

With Belfast destroying Old Boys we thought the 3rd & final half against Belfast was going to be quite painful, but although they scored the first 2 tries our tactical hydrating & sneaky half time recruiting of some passing by Colts players saw the tide turn & the tries started flowing. 

Chip & chase was the dish of the day & along with some great defence it ended up being quite the game & we took away a great win that was well deserved for those who turned up. Well done lads great high too end on!! 

POD was Lube he defended well & scored some beautiful tries.

Up up

Professor Moriarty Phd

Blazer Game

Sam Lawry – Blazer

On Saturday 6th July 2024, Premiers flanker Sam Lawry (aka Loz) played his blazer game against New Brighton at Rawhiti Domain.

Loz, who played his junior and colt rugby at Marist Albion joined CFC Premiers at the beginning of the 2023 season. His first game was against UC on 15th April 2023 starting at #7. Loz started every game in that position until an injury in June saw him out for the rest of the season. Back in 2024 fighting fit, he has played every game this season.

Congratulations Loz on this well-deserved milestone. As mentioned in your presentation speech, CFC is like a family and we are proud to you have you in it. 

Bobs Word 

Hooray, the AB's are off to a winning start under new Coach Razor Robertson in what would go down as a hard and closely fought test match. It was critical that the campaign got off to a 'w'.

I'm sure that they will make some adjustments for next Saturday.

I for one was pretty excited pre match with some very health goblets of the finest Aussie Shiraz prior to kick off as it's been a long while since I, like many others have really rooted for the AB's like we always used to.

I have got a good feeling about this set up and a great deal of faith in the coaching group, albeit half the size of the team itself.

Although I did not see it some of my fellow Axemen were really impressed by Div Two's game v University. Not only was it an excellent game our boys played some very good rugby for a meritorious win. Div Two is not an easy team to coach as their players are at the 'mercy' of the Div One coaches so it can be a pretty frustrating gig at times. Kyle Brewer and Matt Aked have done an outstanding job coaching this team who over the off season lost a heap of experienced players coupled with season ending injuries to some of their key players.

I travelled to the 'sandpit' to watch our lads put in yet another gallant and improved showing only to be beaten in the end by a bigger more experienced and stronger Brighton side. Our time will come.

The season has once again come and nearly gone with the blink of an eye .What is certain is that our great club has some serious work to do to ensure that we get back to where we are used to being in all comps and need to pull out all stops to ensure we do.

See you Saturday.

Give Em The Axe

Bob

Junior Rugby

With School Holidays well under way, this is a deserved break for our Junior teams as they rest and recover to get ready to go again.

First games back after the holidays are on the 27th July - which also happens to be our Junior Club Day.

This is always a super fun day for everyone involved, we have a bouncy castle, face painting, Lil Orbits, free sausage sizzle for all players, player of the day presentations and much more, details still to come!

CFC U18 & U15 Girls tournament.

After having our CFC girls teams disappointed in the Ashburton tournament being cancelled, we decided to host our very own tournament here at CFC.

Thanks to Jono Campbell, Vicki Logopati-Campbell and Angie Sisifa for helping organise the finer details to make this tournament a success. We would also like to thank the CRFU for helping supplies referees for this event.

A big thank you to our resource coaches who helped upskill the CFC Baabaas and Boil ups with quality coaching on the 2 days, Rebecca Todd, Jamie Livingston and Kaylee Tavendale.

It was great to be able to host our travelling teams in West coast U15 girls and Tasman U18 girls as well as local school team Christchurch Girls High School.

The weather played its part and over the 2 days there was some great display of quality rugby from both age groups where they were able to play some great running rugby.

We look forward to hosting this tournament in the future and getting the word out to more teams wanting to take part in this amazing opportunity.

Christchurch Football Club 160th Dinner

The Christchurch Football Club invites members and guests to join us for a celebration of this great club and all it has achieved over the 160 years it has been around.

Special Guest Steve Tew will be guest speaker while we celebrate the club and our legends, alongside delicious food and drinks.

Please click on the link here to register your interest in either a seat or a table, please note tables are going fast so be in quick!

Any questions to be directed to events@christchurchpark.co.nz

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: Monday 15 July 2024