Welcome!

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

A huge thank you to Jeni Talei for the incredible photos she has provided the club. You will see these on Facebook and in our Newsletters each week.

Read on for more details…

Premier Mens Match Report

From the Sideline

V New Brighton 15-25

Another great day for footie. The sun shone early morning for the start of club day.

Cloudy conditions for the match with little wind. Ground conditions very good.

The scene was set with a good turnout of club supporters. In the early games both Colts sides and Premier Women had good wins, and Premier Reserve were unlucky to go down by one point with a try disallowed in the closing minute.

New Brighton coming off 3 losses against top sides, all by less than 4 points. Never an easy opponent no matter where you play them. Always have a great band of supporters following them.

The game didn’t start too well for CFC when after 7 minutes the Brighton second five stepped passed two missed tackles inside the 22 to score under the posts. Too easy 0-7 CFC then found themselves with some ball, using width and moving it across field.

A good number of phases and the ball went to Landon-Lane, and he brushed aside a couple of tackles and taking a man with him crashed over after a great 20m run to the line, 5-7 Brighton then converted a penalty from in front.

CFC responded with a penalty of their own by Mitch Barry the half back returning to normal duties. 8-10 after 29 min a CFC lineout throw to the back went wrong and they conceded a penalty near the line. The second scrum penalty of the half.

Brighton scrum which had a little ascendancy at this stage was strong and they crashed over for a try wide out. Both teams went into half time with the score 8-15. Second half didn’t start much better when after 5 minutes CFC were alleged to have collapsed a maul following a lineout. Penalty try awarded. 8-22.

An injury to CFC prop Dale Johnstone didn’t help the cause.

A very good 50-22 to fullback Taylor came unstuck with CFC losing the lineout from a good position.

Shortly after at the 20 min mark CFC made some changes with Barry going from half back to first five. Another prop injury to Kalalo Otutaha who would come back on twice more due to another front row injury. In this period Brighton had a player yellow carded for continual infringements at the ruck.

The game became a little messy, but CFC had their chances and kept pressing.

A penalty shot was turned down in pursuit of a try. However, from a pick and go the ball was knocked on after a number of surges.

The loss of Josh Carr who had made a difference when he came on to a leg injury didn’t help. However, his brother the captain Jamie Carr soon after crashed over from the base of a very good scrum unopposed. The best scrum CFC had put together all game.

15-22.

Another front row injury, another stoppage halted CFC’s momentum.

This allowed Brighton to get back into the CFC half with 5 to go. They controlled the ball well at the end. Getting to the breakdown with bodies, running hard and straight.

They effected two turnovers and a penalty from in front effectively put paid to whatever chance CFC had to affect a draw.

No chocolates for the Red and Black’s. New Brighton victor’s once again for the 6th year 25-15.

IN SUMMARY

A tough day at the office. However, let’s look at the positive side. This young team has been in every contest almost to the end each week. A huge improvement.They have created opportunities in games but failed to capitalise on most with small errors.

The Lineout looks better when they go to the front in particular to Sam Lawry who has secured all his ball thus far. The deeper we go the more inaccurate we seem to be. The scrum was sound on Saturday. It didn’t help with injuries to pretty much the whole front row. However, one magnificent scrum produced a try.

Out this week from the front row stocks is Kalle Valimake on international duty with Finland, and we congratulate him on his selection. Dale Johnstone our Scottish born player who is out for the season with torn ligaments. He has been very good when he has come on in each game. Connor O’Brien is 50/50 with an injury.  (Jack Burmester where are you?) Josh Carr will also be out with an ankle injury as will Hamish Jones the first five with a knock. Mitch Barry will likely start at first five.

It will be tough against an Old Boys side, which you can bet will be well organised on their home turf. Having all ready beaten Sydenham 20- 19, Lincoln University 53-13 and losing to Linwood 32-29.They currently sit 4th on the table.  I wonder which Old Boys side will turn up this week.

Interesting to note that over the weekend Shirley beat Linwood and Sumner defeated Marist. An interesting competition in the early stages.

Saturday, Ben Taylor on the wing made some strong runs and went looking for work. Oscar Bennett carried strongly in midfield. Zach Landon-Lane got through a power of work. Jamie Carr led the forwards well and was rewarded with a good try. Jackson Taylor was safe at the back.Jack Stokes in his blazer game tackled strongly.

Supporting the ball carrier and getting bodies to the breakdown quickly will be key work on’s to combat Old Boys, who will smell blood if we don’t match them in the key areas.Get down to Bob Dean’s and give them your support.

Thought for the week:

“The game is going to test you. There will be no easy route. If there is don’t keep it a secret from your teammates. Remember it’s not who you play, but how you play.

“Give 'em the Axe.”

“Run until you are buggered and then increase the pace.”

David Stuthridge

Sponge

Premier Womens Match Report

A bit tender following last week’s battering against UC, the Christchurch Women rallied to front up against the Linwood Wahine on Club Day. 

Canterbury turned on an absolute Goldilocks of a day – not too hot and not too cold – creating the platform for some sharp footy. Linwood looked threatening up front, and some good hard runners shook tackles for the first five minutes to take the first try of the match. 

That was all it took to wake the CFC Women up and following some clever territorial kicks from Rosie Kelly and Manea Waaka, number 8 Angie Sisifa crashed over the line from a pick-and-go to put the first points on for Christchurch. 

A couple of bruising tackles later, Christchurch pushed up the scoreboard through Manea Waaka, who showed some individual brilliance dodging through defence (allegedly the fullback’s ankles breaking could be heard around the pitch).  

Linwood weren’t deterred however and put another try and conversion over at the 22nd minute before both Emma Whinney and Steph Te Ohaere-Fox replied with 5 pointers of their own, one converted by Caitlin Sears. 

Christchurch were the first to score in the second half, with a dramatic diving try by replacement lock Kalesi Taga. The score was followed by some messy play from 60 minutes, with neither team achieving too much until Caitlin Sears broke the funk with a nifty try and conversion of her own in the 74th minute. 

Lungs heaving and legs heavy, Christchurch attempted to slow the last 6 minutes of the game as Linwood continued to drive – but it was too little, too late for the green and black wahine as their final seven points finished the game at 36 – 19. 

With a bye weekend ahead, the girls will be resting and refreshing for the second half of the season! 

Nina Poletti

Premier Reserves Mens (Crocs) Match Report

Sydenham this week at home for club day was an unknown challenge heading into it, as Sydenham dropped from the Tahi to Rua grade in the Premier Reserve grade this year. The Crocs could only assume that they were a good side that wanted to prove they should in fact be in the grade above, and that we needed to feel the same way about ourselves.

As it is at the start of every season, there are some structural hiccups that need to be ironed out as the year progresses, and it showed in the first half. The Crocs felt a bit flat to start the game, missing assignments on defence, not working hard enough at the breakdown, standing out of place or flat on attack - all things we had said we need to be aware of prior to play kicking off.

However, the crocs hung in there - keeping their heads above water. At the end of the first, we started to identify and exploit the edges of Sydenham's defence. 

A quick chat at half time, and the lads knew what needed to be done. Chomping at the bit to get back on the field and apply the necessary changes on attack and defence. Unfortunately, our captain Fish went down early with an injury that had him screaming like Pamela Anderson in that one video. Undeterred and even more motivated, the Crocs marched on. Thanks to the dangerous ball in hand play from Mounga Tautalanoa, Josh 'Nuggsy' Van Der Plas, Takehiro Watanabe and Shun Ishihara; the crocs were death rolling the Sydenham defense line inside, out!The gap had been closed to just 20 - 21 to Sydenham, and the Crocs attack had become relentless. The last 5 to 10 minutes of the game was spent inside the Sydenham 22, and after a few mistakes and missed opportunities, the Crocs FINALLY got over the line to take the lead.

Sadly, the ref saw a fantastic try from Shun Ishihara differently, and called it held up. No Try.Goal line drop out, the Crocs continued to attack, but a knock on lead to the full time whistle being blown and hearts being broken. Regardless of the tough call, coaches Matt and Kyle reflect upon the lead Sydenham built in the first half as our undoing. It was a position the Crocs should never have put themselves in and will be wanting redemption for this Saturday. This weekend, we are back at home on Number one against an old foe, Ōtautahi. 1 pm kick off. Dress warm and we will see you there! 

Give em' the Axe.

Final Score: Crocs 20 - 21 Sydenham

Player of the day: Liam Whitaker

Connor Kitto

Colts Match Report

CFC Colts 27 - New Brighton Colts 26

Our first win of the season and on Club Day.

It was great to see so many people at the club for club day, especially the good number of Axemen watching the Colts play on field 3.

We had some tough games the first 2 rounds but went into round 3 on the back of an improved second half against Shirley.

The first half saw both teams use the ball and saw running rugby.  Both struggled to finish chances off with New Brighton get on the board first with a penalty kick.  Both teams traded tries (CFC try by Alister Binnie) with New Brighton getting a second to be leading 18-7, with the last play of the half New Brighton looked to take advantage of an overlap on the left-hand side only for Preston Tait to intercept to narrow the lead to 18-14 at half time.

New Brighton started the second half the stronger side with a penalty and try to stretch their lead.  CFC got into great field position with some great kicks from Jack Hart and Rory Buchanan and with our lineout working well our forwards went to work. Through some great teamwork CFC scored back-to-back tries from Finn Arnold and Angus Liddle.

Time running down New Brighton started to give away penalties to allow us to drive down the field.  Again, we trusted our lineout and kicked into the 22.  Our forwards drove off the lineout and then once a ruck was set in midfield start to pick and go. New Brighton made the error of getting offside right in front of their sticks. CFC were down 25-24 so Seth Hignett stepped up and convert the penalty for a one-point win. 

Great to get our first win and shows the work the team has put in over preseason and the last couple of weeks.

Tim Brocket

Colts 2 Match Report

Amazing win for our Colts 2 team, great to have them playing their first game at the club on Club Day and also being a part of clubbies!

Pictured below.

Classics (Choppers) Match Report

We'll keep this short & hot like a late Saturday night happy meal.

Club day saw us take on the Sumner Sharks & once the warmup was done it was time to wheel the packed chilly bin over to the side line & let the battle commence.

 The first 15 minutes was quite fast paced with both teams playing good hard classics footy, before the Sharkies eventually sniffed out our line & crossed first 5 mins later through some slick backline moves it was our turn.

Rinse & repeat & the half time score was locked at 14 all. Time to build some momentum & take control of the game was the 2nd half plan but with the seemingly one-sided penalty count a spot of frustration was starting to build, they would then score with 5 minutes to go it was looking like a draw would be the result. 

However, a draw wasn't what we were after & the lads held their composure to dot down & take the lead which we refused to surrender for the final couple of minutes, the sweet sweet victory was ours & to get the W on club day made those beers go down a treat, well down boys a great team effort, shot to POD Jordy for lighting it up & winning us a crate at the Club Captains games, an awesome day/night!!! 

Up up the Chopper's 

Spivey

Blazer Game

On Saturday 4th May 2024 Jack Stokes played his blazer game for the Premier team.

Jack started his CFC senior club rugby in 2020 with our Colts.

In 2022 he would be seen helping out the Premiers and from 2023 has been a regular starter on the side of the scrum.

Congratulations Jack seen in picture below receiving his blazer from President and Life Member Jerry Rowberry.

Bob's Word

It was great to see the CFC Axemen Colts win their first game. They continue to improve. Div One, not through the lack of effort, perhaps didn’t take their opportunities. Div Two pipped at the post in the last minute and another good win for the CFC Women.

Lordie! Lordie! The Crusaders, fresh from a confidence boosting win over the Rebels, I was so confident of a good win over the Reds. Alas it was not to be. Recurring issues at lineout time plus a host of other errors. Sadly, some injuries to key players didn’t help the cause. Where to from here we might all ask? The Landers might be licking their lips but for mine I’m keeping the faith.

I always enjoy CFC Club day and it was great to catch up with Dennis Waller a star lock of the mid 70’s and Collie Fyfe who should get his arse down to the club more often. I almost forgot another stalwart of the mid 70’s Owen Rutledge who was with us the week before.

A big thanks to Club Captain Hunter Johnston who works tirelessly behind the scenes all hours.

Thanks to Mark Arneil we are seeing exponential growth in Axemen numbers. He never misses a chance does Mark. I reckon he’d make a bloody good politician.

I’m unsure of next week’s draw except I know Div One play the ‘jersey pullers’ at Bob Deans Stadium which is undoubtedly the coldest rugby ground in NZ.

Look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

Give 'em the Axe.

Bob

Junior Rugby

Its fantastic to have a team in the Girls Only competition on a Monday night, playing three games here under lights.

Our Kohine Toa Yr 7, 8, 9 team played a strong Marist team but after only one training they showed a lot of determination and strength, and we look forward to see how they go in the season ahead.

Also incredible to see a large number of our junior teams playing against Sumner over the weekend with teams both at CFC and Sumner.

We can't wait for the official season to start this weekend.

Good luck to everyone!

Gilbert Shop is open

This store is open for PRE-ORDERS ONLY.

The ordering window will close on 10th May.

Orders will then be despatched direct to customer approx.6-8 weeks after the closure of the store.

Please note: if orders are not over minimum quantities, then items may be removed from order and refunds processed.

Click here to go direct to the website.

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

Welcome Note

It was great to see a number of former player’s at the Club Saturday for Club Day.Particularly pleasing to welcome Dennis Waller former Premier player (lock forward) with the club in the 70’s.

Dennis’s record speaks for itself. Played for two clubs, College Old Boys and ChristchurchAlong with Peter Coleman formed a formidable locking combination for the club.Represented Wellington 1970-74, Canterbury 1975Earned an All Black trial in 1972 for the team to the UK, Nth America and France and Ireland. 

Played in the first trial for the Possibles coming in from the reserves for an injured Sam Strachan. According to reports played well, but unfortunately missed the team with Hamish McDonald from Canty securing the 4th lock spot.Dennis continued his involvement with the club in 1978 when along with Kit Chambers he helped coach a very good U19 side captained by Jock Hobbs.Sport was certainly in the Waller family as Dennis’s wife Glenys (nee Steel) represented NZ at the ChCh Commonwealth games in 1974 as a doubles specialist in Badminton.  Her and her partner lost their first match against a class Scottish team.

Thank you for taking the time coming down from your home in Tauranga to return a visit to the club Dennis. You were most welcome.

Article added: Monday 13 May 2024