Quadrangular Win Serves Well for New Season

The 2017 Annual Presbyterian Quadrangular Rugby tournament, played between Saint Kentigern, Lindisfarne, Scots and St Andrew’s was hosted in Christchurch by St Andrew’s College this year. The away teams were hosted in the St Andrew’s boarding hostels, newly built following the damage from the Christchurch Earthquake. The hospitality shown by St Andrew’s was much appreciated by the boys who felt very well looked after. On the first day, there was an early morning ANZAC chapel service in the newly built chapel, attended by the teams and the St Andrew’s wider community.

The first match of the tournament for our 1st XV was against a well-coached Lindisfarne who gave solid opposition at set piece and defended well early on. They managed two intercept tries before half time but the extra size, speed and skill level of the Saint Kentigern team in the second half was too much for the Lindisfarne team and the score blew out to 87-15 at full time.

In the next game between Scots College and St Andrew’s, the hosts took an early lead and in a well-matched game, with the lead changing several times, St Andrew’s converted a penalty in the final minutes to win 36-31

Wednesday was a rest day and then on Thursday Scots beat Lindisfarne in the first game and Saint Kentigern won the final against St Andrew’s 57-19, after being down 19-12 at half time. Saint Kentigern took home the Tournament Trophy and Etene Nani was named player of the tournament.

At his last event as Head of College, Mr Cole spoke at the after match function, stressing the importance of memories playing in such tournaments. He finished by inviting the three schools to Auckland next year to continue the rivalry.

Our special thanks to the organising committee from St Andrew’s who did an exceptional job. Their hospitality was superb and the organisation of transport, food and the tournament itself was superb.