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The Collegiate Rugby Club on Lindisfarne St is being used by more than one sports club this year. Rugby league clubs, touch rugby and fitness groups are also making use of the facilities and grounds.
In February, Collegiate upgraded their shower block and plans to renovate the toilet facilities after the rugby season.
Collegiate’s senior team, sponsored by Precision Concrete Cutting, assembled a full squad of players for the 2026 season.
The team took their place as one of the 16 teams in the combined division two and three grade for the first phase of the competition.
First they had a warm-up game against Star B, before opening their season proper with a home game against their near-neighbours Marist B.
Collegiate made the ideal start to the season with a 38-22 win. It was a good team effort with the youngsters in the team proving they belonged in this grade. The usual steady leadership from the experienced players also contributed to the win, as did the supporters on the side-line.
Collegiate were back at Lindisfarne headquarters to play Pirates Old Boys B the following week. Unfortunately, the boys conceded a penalty goal in the last play of the game to lose 17-15.
To push last year’s finalists so close gave Collegiate confidence, but on the Friday night before Anzac weekend the boys suffered another close loss, 36-33 against Woodlands B.
After the weekend off for duck shooting, the team were keen to get back to business against Blues B. Collegiate emerged from Appleby with another close loss, 20-17.
Collegiate lost their final game of the first phase of the competition 26 nil to Star B. It was a special day for Billy Cooper who played his 50th match for Collegiate.
Collegiate are now one of eight teams in the division three grade for the remainder of the season. The boys lost their first game to Marist B 22-10, before another break for King’s Birthday Weekend.
A 38-3 win at home against Wrights Bush was enjoyed last weekend, but all focus is on "Old Members Day" this Saturday.
Blues B have graciously allowed the kick-off time at Lindisfarne to be put back to 3pm to suit Collegiate’s plans for the evening celebration.
There will be plenty of food and drinks available during the game and late into the night. The Collegiate committee is welcoming all past players and supporters to join the celebration.
The Collegiate players will be playing in their new kit for the first time and there will be a couple of new blazer presentations after the game as well.
By John Langford