2026 season loading….
Our NZCT comps are back, so that means your regularly scheduled picks are back too!
A late start due to the long weekend, but let’s get things tipping off with Thomson Division One.
Once again, the competition starts in four pools of four playing a round robin, with top two from each four making the top 8, while the bottom two will play in the bottom 8.
Pool A- Christ’s College, Rangiora High, Kaiapoi High, Lincoln High
This week’s match ups:
🏆Kaiapoi vs Christ’s College- backing the team who currently hold the Dowson Cup and went undefeated during regular season last year.
🏀Rangiora vs Lincoln- Rangiora are the favorite’s for this match up, but could be in for a battle against Kaiapoi.
Pool B- Hillmorton High, Shirley Boys, Rolleston College, Riccarton High
This week’s match ups:
🏀Hillmorton vs Shirley- Last year’s champs are travelling to take on a team favored to take out this year’s comp. I think Hillmorton will take the W today.
🏀Rolleston vs Riccarton- Despite a strong showing in the play in game, I think Rolleston will take this game.
Pool C- St Bede’s, St Thomas, Christchurch Boys, Middleton
This week’s match ups:
🏀St Bede’s vs CBHS- despite a late venue change, this could be a good match up, but with several rep players on their squad, St Bede’s are looking like the winner tonight.
🏀Middleton vs St Thomas- St Thomas showed their dominance in their preseason fixture vs Rolleston, and I’d say they’re bringing that same showing tonight.
Pool D- St Andrews, Cashmere, Burnside, Ashburton
🏀Burnside vs St Andrew’s- Coach Jayden Cameron heads back to Burnside tonight, but in different colours. Blue might be the winning colour tonight.
🏀Cashmere vs Ashburton- Cashmere are looking to set themselves early by taking the W against Ashburton.
Next up Whelan Division One
Exciting times as we have ten teams in this division this year. Two teams have stepped up from Division Two and a new addition completely.
🏀Cashmere vs Rangiora- a good competition with a young Rangiora team taking on a Cashmere team who have grown over the last couple seasons.
🏆Hillmorton vs St Margarets- our first Phil Burns Trophy match in over three years. Will the naming rights coach and his new team keep the silverware?
🏀Kaiapoi vs CGHS- Two teams both with new coaches, as Tana Helsham takes the helm for CGHS and Jesse Thompson now leads Kaiapoi. CGHS are looking to have depth.
🏀Marian vs St Andrews- The newcomers were faced with a big task to take on favorite’s StAC. Unfortunately, Marian have defaulted tonight’s match.
🏀Avonside vs Villa Maria- The two sides are no strangers having played Division Two together last year. I think Division Two winners will start this season the same.
Thomson Division Two
Six teams again in this division with a new addition of Te Aratai, and Darfield taking a step away.
🏀Cathedral vs Papanui- Last year’s winners are looking to get back-to-back wins.
🏀Hornby vs Oxford- Oxford looking to grow as they take on Hornby.
🏀Te Aratai vs RNLS- Newcomers Te Aratai will be wanting to come in hot with a win to start the season.
Whelan Division Two
Six teams also in division two for our Whelan comp.
🏀RNLS vs Ashburton- RNLS will want to make their return to Whelan strong against Ashburton who have returned to division two after a year in division one.
🏀Middleton vs Oxford- last year’s runners up will be looking to welcome new team Oxford with a strong performance.
🏀Rangi Ruru vs Papanui- A match up that should be a good one with both teams having strong consistency from last year.
Grocott
Grocott has also shown growth with 12 teams now in the competition continuing on an upward trend.
🏀Cashmere vs St Bedes- Cashmere continue to set a high standard.
🏀Kaiapoi vs CBHS- CBHS will be looking to prove they belong in the top.
🏀Hillmorton vs Christ’s College- Hillmorton looking dominant showing strength in their program.
🏀Rolleston vs Lincoln- A Selwyn derby with the newcomer Rolleston against Lincoln.
🏀Rangiora vs St Thomas- St Thomas will look to edge Rangiora on their turf.
🏀Shirley vs Papanui- Shirley are looking to continue their dominant 39-0 run from last year although under new leadership.
Good luck for the season teams!
