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Christchurch Wins Womens 10s Tournament

The Canterbury Women’s club competition begins the weekend after Easter, although Christchurch have laid down the gauntlet by winning the Tens competition last weekend. 

In what was a quality forerunner to the main event of the season, the red and blacks showed that they are early favourites, despite not having it all their own way.

Christchurch beat Sydenham in the final, although they lost to University 14-12 in the round-robin, which resulted in Christchurch, Sydenham and University all finishing top of their four-team division.

Christchurch, with the returning Steph Mortimer and Melissa Ruscoe prominent, performed well throughout the competition. According to Canterbury Women’s Board member Kay Goodhue, the standard of rugby throughout was very high. “Given that the club sides will not be fully ready for the club season yet, the skill levels were very good and it all promises much for a strong competition this year.”

“The competition was also a good way for the players to get out there and play some rugby. Everybody I have spoken to believes that the competition worked.”

In the second division, High School Old Boys also showed that they will be one of the sides to watch this season, beating Kaiapoi 31-7 in the final.

With Canterbury great Fergie McCormick helping with the coaching duties (his daughter Jesse turns out for the club), High School Old Boys also showed that the skill levels are very good within these clubs.

The same 10 teams that competed in the competition last season will be taking part this season. While Christchurch may be favourites given their performances last season and their win in the 10s, the competition promises to be one of the closest on record.

Kay says that while it is encouraging that numbers have not dropped in the women’s game, attempts need to be made to develop an under-19 or under-21 grade

“It is sometimes a big ask for players who have played secondary school rugby and not had contested scrums for example, to make the step-up to senior rugby where the competition is obviously much higher,” she says. It would also be, she believes, a way to keep players in the game.