METRONEWS
© New Zealand Broadcasting School 2024

St Thomas First XV claim historic victory

Mitch Redman
STC First XV
St Thomas performing their haka pre-game.   St Thomas of Canterbury College

In its 34 years of existence, St Thomas's rugby 1st XV has never beaten the mighty Christchurch Boys' High. Now they have.

Full-time captured as St Thomas kick the ball into touch.

St Thomas of Canterbury College has claimed a massive upset win over Boys' High in the UC Championship.

The unheralded St Thomas side won the game convincingly 40-12 at their home ground in Sockburn on Saturday.

Boys' High has won the championship, which involves high school teams in the Crusaders region from Timaru to Nelson, the last three years straight.

As the icing on the cake, St Thomas picked up the National 1st XV Trustbank Cup, the high school equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield.

St Thomas captain Cormack Tarrant credited the attack out wide for running in three tries to give his side a 19-5 lead at halftime.

St Thomas First XV captain Cormack Tarrant discusses Saturday's win.

He said the boys felt confident they could get the job done, but it was important they "didn't take their foot off the throat".  

Boys' High drops to fifth in the UC Championship standings after the loss, while St Thomas sits in sixth on the same amount of points. 

Tarrant said it was important the team put the result behind them, and move on to the next job. St Thomas play St Andrew's College on Saturday. 

Boys' High will play Ashburton College.