Sharks Day 2025. Photo: Saints scrumhalf Agape Nyawo scoring a great try.

St Charles College 1st XV travelled to Hilton College on a crisp Friday morning to take on Clifton College in the highly anticipated Sharks Day Trials. With an unusual 09:30am kick-off, the boys were faced with a unique challenge. They were shift from their usual 3pm game rhythm to a much earlier start. It was all while coming off the back of an emotional and high-energy Old Boys Day the previous weekend.

Despite these hurdles, the squad rose to the occasion. After a focused week of preparation, the team came out firing from the first whistle. Within the opening 15 minutes, the boys in Blue and Gold had already raced to a commanding 19-0 lead, showcasing clinical execution and high intensity. However, a lapse in concentration allowed Clifton back into the game, and by halftime the scoreboard read 19-14 in favour of St Charles College. The halftime message was simple: trust the systems, stick to structures, and deliver the knockout blow.

Tries

The second half was a testament to that message. The team regrouped, found their rhythm, and took control of the game. They played with hunger, urgency, and cohesion, ultimately running away with the fixture. Tries were spread across the team, with Agape Nyawo crossing the whitewash twice, while AJ Bosman, Carl Chekera, Matthew Ludick, and Likuthi Mbalana also stood out with commanding performances. Credit must go to the full match-day 23, who all made an impact and contributed to a comprehensive team effort.

The final score: St Charles College 47 – 14 Clifton College

It was a performance full of character and maturity—one that firmly placed St Charles College on the radar at this year’s Sharks Day Trials. Importantly, it also marked significant improvement in the set piece and game management from the previous week. As the team heads into a well-deserved mid-term break, they’ll be looking to carry this momentum into their next outing against St Stithians College. Sincere thanks to Clifton College for the spirited competition, and we look forward to welcoming all their teams to St Charles College for Supporters Day in the coming weeks.