After a one-year absence the Mid Canterbury Combined first fifteen are back in the Miles Toyota Championship division. The side made up of players from Ashburton College and Mt Hutt college had the tough task of travelling to St Bedes to take on their second fifteen in their season opener. 

Mid Canterbury Combined dominated the set piece. Halfback Eddie Galbraith set up the captain, Henry Thomas for the opening try, off a silky set piece move. This try set the tone for the rest of the match as the tight five dominated the contact area. Fullback Jack Middleton capitalized on his opportunities as he gave the away side an 8-3 lead at the halftime break. 

The second half was a different story for the away side as their backs were able to play off the back of their forwards momentum and run riot. St Bedes defence didn’t know what hit them as they struggled to handle the pace and skill of Mid Canterbury Combined wingers.  as Api Kirkpatrick and Taniela Palavi both scored spectacular tries in either corner. The forwards capped off a terrific display with two tries of their own with loose forward, Henry King and reserve prop, Ben Glass both scoring tries to secure the 34-3 victory.

This weekend the combined side host Waimea at Celtic in their first home game of the season at 11:00am.

Article added: Tuesday 16 May 2023