20 <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Wednesday <strong>June</strong> <strong>21</strong> <strong>2023</strong>
Wednesday <strong>June</strong> <strong>21</strong> <strong>2023</strong> <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz SPORT <strong>21</strong> Focus on Coleman Shield after combined title lost in the mud • By Jaime Cunningham PREBBLETON took away plenty of lessons from their 17-7 loss to Ashburton Celtic in the Luisetti Seeds Combined Country final. They now turn their focus to the Coleman Shield and their game against Southbridge on Saturday after their dream of an inaugural combined country title slipped away over the weekend. In muddy conditions at Prebbleton Domain, Celtic were clinical in both halves of the final and took their chances, while Prebbleton’s only try came in the last play of the match. Prebbleton head coach Simon Fitzgerald said the team made a lot of mistakes – and Celtic were clinical at taking advantage of them. “Full credit to Ashburton on their win, they were better on the day,” he said. Prebbleton attempted to go wide too early, made poor tackle decisions and didn’t show enough patience, Fitzgerald said. But they took some positive lessons from the final, which may prove useful in their remaining four round robin games. “Our set piece was dominant and we created several scoring opportunities, which we couldn’t convert,” Fitzgerald said. “We have a young squad that will learn from this big game experience and keep getting better.” Prebbleton haven’t won the Coleman Shield since 1974. But despite the final loss, it has been a successful season so far for the club, with their division 2, colts, under-18 and women’s teams all currently unbeaten. Fitzgerald, who is also the club’s director of rugby, said making sure the teams spend • By Jaime Cunningham AFTER A gruelling schedule against the top Miles Toyota Premiership sides, <strong>Selwyn</strong> Schools’ relished having nine days off to prepare to take on St Thomas of Canterbury College. <strong>Selwyn</strong> go into round 6 on Friday after losses to defending champions Nelson College and rugby powerhouse Christchurch Boys’ High within five days. A win in either game was always going to be a tough ask, but the tight turnaround between matches proved too much of a challenge for <strong>Selwyn</strong>. time together has contributed to their success. “We’ve worked hard on building connection across our senior group through things like introducing a shared theme and playbook this year, or all having a meal together at the club after Thursday training,” he said. They lost to Nelson College 45-17 on <strong>June</strong> 10, then went down 48-0 to CBHS at Rolleston College last Wednesday. CBHS have been in hot form since their narrow loss to Nelson College last month and the blueand-blacks looked as slick as ever against <strong>Selwyn</strong>. Both teams made errors early in the first and second halves but CBHS’s ability to capitilise on their opportunities and maintain momentum won them the game. While the result didn’t go <strong>Selwyn</strong>’s way, it was a special match for left wing Ted Ward “I’ve been involved with a few different clubs around the world, but Prebbleton has given me the best rugby experience ever.” Fitzgerald believes it will be a close game against Southbridge, who have come into form after a slow start to the season. “We’re expecting another Well-rested <strong>Selwyn</strong> Schools ready to take on St Thomas who received his tie for playing 25 games, and Sam Paterson who made his debut off the bench. <strong>Selwyn</strong> earned their break over the weekend and dshould be well prepared to take on St Thomas. St Thomas have been in solid form since they were beaten by Christ’s College <strong>21</strong>-7 on May 13. They go into the match on the back of a clinical 40-6 win over Timaru Boys’ High on Saturday. •<strong>Selwyn</strong> v St Thomas starts at 3pm at St Thomas’ of Canterbury College CLASH: Prebbleton second-five Tim Murgatroyd looks for support after making a break in the 17-7 combined country final loss to Ashburton Celtic. Left – Captain Tom Brand gets up high to win a lineout. PHOTOS: CRFU/JOHN MCCAW tough game this week as we defend the Murray Cooper Shield against a good Southbridge side,” he said. “They’ve been scoring a lot of tries this season and running from anywhere.” The Murray Cooper Shield is different is only on the line at home when two Ellesmere clubs take each other on. Southbridge sit third behind Prebbleton and Waihora. Although they’ve recorded two wins in the Ellesmere competition, Southbridge had a disappointing combined competition, despite finishing strong with a 76-12 win over Lincoln-Rolleston in the playoff for 15th. Last year’s Coleman Shield winners Darfield face Springston. Darfield are in fifth spot with seven points following losses to Lincoln-Rolleston and Prebbleton in the combined competition. Although they are favourites to beat Springston, Darfield will need maximum points in the next four matches to stand a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. Springston go into the game on the back of a 37-26 victory over Hornby in the playoff for 17th two weeks ago, but are yet to record a win in the Ellesmere competition. Hornby will also be searching for their first win when they take on West Melton. West Melton’s only win in the competition so far was against Springston on April 29, which they won 33-25. Following their 15-10 loss to Prebbleton in the combined country semi-final, Waihora host Lincoln-Rolleston on their club day. Waihora are unbeaten in the Ellesmere competition, while Lincoln-Rolleston haven’t won since their 24-19 victory over Hornby on May 20. Draw (Saturday, 2.45pm) Prebbleton v Southbridge, Prebbleton Domain; Springston v Darfield, Springston Domain; Waihora v Lincoln-Rolleston, Rhodes Park (Tai Tapu); West Melton v Hornby, West Melton Domain. Ellesmere points Prebbleton 15, Waihora 14, Southbridge 10, Lincoln-Rolleston 8, Darfield 7, West Melton 7, Springston 2, Hornby 1. CHARGE: <strong>Selwyn</strong> flanker Freddy Cambridge and first-five Roman Keno target a Christchurch Boys’ High player in the 48-0 loss. PHOTO: LIZ GILTRAP