'Do-or-die match': Christchurch BHS, Christ’s to do battle in premiership semi-final

Boys’ High and Christ’s College last met in round 3. Boys’ High won 34-25. PHOTO: DARRYN FINDLAY
Boys’ High and Christ’s College last met in round 3. Boys’ High won 34-25. PHOTO: DARRYN FINDLAY
Christchurch Boys’ High School and Christ’s College’s storied rivalry will be re-ignited in the Miles Toyota Premiership semi-final on Saturday.

The two teams qualified for the semi-finals after finishing in the top four, with Christ’s’ win over St Thomas in the final round boosting them to third and knocking St Thomas out.

The other semi-final will see Tasman rivals Nelson College take on Marlborough Boys’ College.

Boys’ High and Christ’s first played each other in 1892, and have squared off 138 times – the most recent being a Boys’ High win, 34-25, in round 3.

Boys’ High first XV head coach Rhys Archibald said he was expecting Christ’s to be up for it, in better form than that day.

“They look like they’ve got better and better over the season, especially over the last few weeks. They played really well against St Thomas on Saturday,” he said. 

Christ’s head coach Sam Broomhall said their 32-25 win over St Thomas, which gave them a first semi-final appearance since 2021, was an emotional result.

“It was a do-or-die match, there was a lot of emotion after the game, actually,” he said.

“It means a lot for the lads and the team to make the semi-finals, it was part of our goal for the start of the season.”

Christ’s assistant coach Reuben Thorne said Boys’ High was their preferred opponents in the semi-final.

“Really because we don’t have to travel to Nelson, which is great.

“(But also) it’s a really traditional old rivalry between the two schools so getting the chance to play them again, it’s just something that our boys really enjoy.

“They’re a quality team and they showed that last time we played them, they beat us well, so we get a second chance and the guys are just excited about that opportunity.”

Miles Toyota Premiership trophy semi-finals (Sat)

Nelson College v Marlborough Boys’ College, Nelson, 1pm

Plate semi-finals

St Thomas v St Andrew’s, STC, 2.45pm
St Bede’s v Shirley Boys’ High, SBC, 2.45pm

Round 9

Marlborough 20 St Bede’s 14
Nelson College 43 St Andrew’s 29
Selwyn Combined 20 Timaru Boys’ High 12
Christ’s College 32 St Thomas 24
Christchurch Boys’ High 64 Shirley Boys’ High 14

Points

Nelson College 45; Christchurch BHS 40; Christ’s College 31; Marlborough 28; St Thomas 27; St Bede’s 22; Shirley BHS 20; St Andrew’s 19; Selwyn 5; Timaru BHS 2