The Season thats gone bring on 09

For the first time in a number of years, Darfield managed to produce three senior teams this year, Senior Division One, Division Three, and a Colts side.

The Division One team, coached by Grant McIlroy and Shane Dickson, competed in the PGG Wrightsons Cup, in the Northern Section, made up of the four Northern Ellesmere teams, and North Canterbury.

Darfield had a tough start to the season, coming up against two of North Canterbury’s strongest, with narrow losses to Kaiapoi 10-8, and Glenmark 27-17. They bounced back in the next few weeks to come, with wins over Hornby, Woodend, Saracens (Rangiora/Southbrook), and the most pleasing, their win over Oxford in atrocious conditions, on home turf, overpowering them 11-8.

They suffered an unfortunate loss to lower ranked Ashley, at home on Club Day, 15­-24, but with wins against Burnham and Prebbleton in the final rounds, they qualified fourth, going through to the combined competition quarter-finals, where they drew the top ranked Lincoln, from the Southern section. Although leading 7-0 at the break, after being awarded a penalty try just before half-time, as the cliché goes, it was a “game of two halves”, with Lincoln dominating the second half, stacking up 22 unanswered points and booking themselves a place in the semi-finals.

Although moving into the Ellesmere only round, on top of the table with Lincoln, on 12 points, from their pervious wins over Ellesmere teams in their section, they didn’t quite find their form of previous weeks, and missed out on a semi-final spot by 1 point.

Overall they had a pretty good season, and are looking forward to stepping up a notch next year, particularly with the return of some ex-players from overseas. Their next step… Team trip to Queenstown in October… Look out Queenstown!

The Division Three Team was coached by player/coaches Jeff Strowger and Mark Stanbury, better known as Goat. They had a reasonable season, and competed well, despite the disruption of a late withdrawal from Southbridge. And with a bye already in the competition, this meant two of the six teams in the competition didn’t have a game each week.

Although they had a number of close encounters, they struggled to get the upper hand, managing only a couple of wins. Their greatest winning margin, and best game of the season, was their win over Rolleston, 73-8, running in 13 tries to 1. Unfortunately they missed out on finals contention, but look forward to a better season next year.

The new addition of a Colts side to the club this year, made up of a large percentage of Lincoln University students, brought great success to the club. With former Canterbury and New Zealand Services representative, Kerry Pauling, local policeman Dave Pitkethley, who has played for Auckland, and Sean Corcoran at the helm, the team had plenty of experienced backing.

Similar to the Senior Division One competition, the Colts grade played a combined section with Ellesmere and Mid Canterbury teams, and lead the competition by 3 points after the first round. A great feat, particularly as they were forced to default against close followers Springston, due to University holidays, and therefore half the team headed home to various parts of the country.

After a close second round, the guys qualified for the semi-finals, and headed down to Hinds, to take on the second placed Southern. Narrowly losing to them a few weeks prior, the boys turned the tables and came out on top 17-9, sending them through to the final of the Combined Competition, against Springston. As close as finals can get, the boys fought hard, and were very unlucky to go down 11-6.

With no break between, the Colts went straight into the semi-finals of the Ellesmere only competition the following week, coming up against Lincoln at Darfield. Another close encounter, the boys were victorious 6-3 in a tight tussle, with penalties being the only points of the day. Heading into their second final of the season against Springston, this time on home ground. With the memories of a few weeks before far behind them, the boys played one of their best games of the season, defeating Springston 13-3, in front of a packed sideline of supporters, and putting some much deserved silverware in the cabinet.

Darfield’s senior teams are looking bright for year years to come, particularly with the strong base of Under 18 players, which have performed well through their combined competition this year. With a ten-team competition, the boys played two full rounds, getting two chances at their opposition, winning 9 of their 18 games, and finishing middle of the table. Although missing out on finals contention of the combined competition, they were the second placed Ellesmere team and therefore made it through to the Ellesmere semi-finals. They were drawn to play third qualifiers Prebbleton, but with the amount of rain that had incurred during the week, they were forced to move their game from Darfield to Sheffield. The move to Shark Park (as it’s known to many) didn’t quite help their chances and the boys went down to Prebbleton 12-6.  

Darfield played host to the Annual Ellesmere Finals Day, which was scheduled for Saturday 9^th August, but extreme weather conditions played a part, and Ellesmere made the decision to postpone to the Sunday, which turned out to be a very wise choice. The gorgeous day gave indication that spring is on its way, and all enjoyed a great day, with nine finals, from the Under 13 grade right up to Senior Division One. Darfield’s only Finals Day contingent was their winning Colts side, but all other hands were on deck to make sure the day was a success.

The Darfield club endured a great number of triumphs for the season, but one loss that can’t go unmentioned is the passing of a great Darfield rugby stalwart, Tony (AJ) Lee. Not only was Tony a life member and great supporter and contributor to Darfield rugby, but he has also played a major part in country rugby for many years, with coaching and committee work, and general support. Tony will always be remembered, and I know he will be looking down on us for years to come.

2008 Season over and out…

Article completed by Alannah Bell Division One Manager.