Sat 4 Oct 2025, 15:00
The first league game of the new season saw Christchurch take on Millbrook 3s played at East Christchurch Sports & Social Club.
The weather was a little challenging with the strong winds, but mainly played in the sunshine, which the crowd welcomed. Our appreciation goes out to all who came and watched, it makes such a difference having people on the side lines, some new to watching any form of rugby, clearly the badgering in the bar from some players and our volunteers is having an impact on the ECSSC members.
In a match that had more twists than a pub pool cue, Christchurch showed the early promise and had it not been ruled out for a forward pass may have opened the scoring but Millbrook came back swinging or more accurately running in some first half tries. Christchurch showed plenty of fight though, clawing their way back into contention with some strong phases, big tackles and a converted try of their own that got the home crowd wondering, “Could we actually do this?”, the first half ending 7 - 19 to the visitors.
The second half again was keenly fought with both sides scoring a try, with the game moving into the final 15 minutes a very promising Christchurch attack was intercepted by Millbrook in their own half, with everyone up in the line for Christchurch it left Millbrook with a clear run through to dot the ball between the posts, we'll gloss over the attempted conversion for fear of embarrassment. Christchurch, however, still had one more move in them and with the last play of the game scored their third try which was subsequently converted.
Despite moments of magic, Christchurch let a few too many chances go begging, knock-ons at key moments, passes that were just a bit too ambitious and the occasional case of white-line fever that sadly didn’t result in points.
Millbrook, for their part, were clinical when it counted, capitalising on errors and keeping their noses just far enough in front to stay out of reach, in the end they held their nerve, and the scoreboard, finishing up the victors 29–19.
Christchurch scorers on the day were:
- Matt Mycroft - 2 tries and 1 conversion
- Josh Legg - 1 try and 1 conversion
Player of the Match:
Matty – For a number of penetrating runs into opposition territory and in the words of the Millbrook captain being everywhere when they kicked to clear their lines.
D*** of the Day:
Kristan – For an unforgettable moment right on the try line… ball in hand, glory in sight, and then poof, dropped like a bad habit. We’ll be talking about that one for a while.
The day was significant for both teams, Christchurch for being back in a league when only 3 months ago that didn't seem possible and a huge congratulations for Millbrook fielding a 3rd XV in the league for the first time.
There was a tinge of sadness, but also celebration, as we raised a glass for a brother / fellow Saxon who passed recently.
We are back in training Tuesday & Thursday evening preparing for our short trip down the road to our neighbours New Milton II on the 11th October 2025 for Round 2 of the league season.
