Rugby: Stratford-Eltham to learn from first outing

Will Johnston

Photo by: PIXL

Stratford-Eltham coach Ross Williams acknowledges last week’s CMK premier club rugby season opener taught his team some lessons.

Nine debutants took the field for the runners up, which lost to defending champions New Plymouth Old Boys last weekend 27-3.

Williams said the match was a learning experience for his team.

“We didn’t alter our attack as the pictures evolved across the game,” he said. “The young guys would have learnt plenty from the physicality Old Boys brought, and what’s required at this level each week.”

Stratford-Eltham's second game beckons against an equally impressive Southern side at Hicks Park in Hawera. Southern is coming off a solid win against Clifton.

Williams knows his team needs to step up.

“Southern are a great side with a very strong squad, so I’m not only expecting a big challenge on Saturday, but also a response from our crew.

“The beauty of rugby is we only have a week, and we get another chance to show we have learnt some lessons.”

It’s unknown whether Blues squad member Meihana Grindlay will be available or not for Southern after he came off the bench for the Hawera-based side last weekend. He even played some game time for the club’s division one team in the curtain raiser.

Old Boys host Tukapa in the traditional cross-city rivalry.

Old Boys will have the edge in the first of two matches this season after their strong start to the competition.   

The recent results have fallen in Old Boys’ favour, including a 79-12 drubbing last season.

Old Boys co-coach Hamish Mitchell said the rivalry is still present, despite the recent run of form.

“There certainly have been some cracking games over the years.”  

He said Tukapa has recruited strongly in the off season, are balanced across the team with a strong forward presence and some “wheels in the backline.”

Mitchell would like to see the team continuing to develop heading into Saturday.

“We will need to improve greatly across multiple facets of our game to be in the hunt this week.”

Inglewood is at home to Clifton at TET Stadium.

Inglewood will have an advantage after their win against Spotswood United last weekend.

Coach Gavin Muir said the team still has plenty to work on despite having a positive first half.

If conditions are dry, Clifton is a threat, particularly out wide.

Coastal is home to Spotswood United at the Rahotu Domain.

The home team impressed in their first outing against Tukapa with plenty of threats across the park.

Spotswood United would have been satisfied with their second half and came back to narrow the margin. They would want to replicate that earlier in the game to secure their first win in a few seasons.

All matches kick off at 2:45pm.

CMK premier club rugby, week 2

Southern v Stratford-Eltham, Hicks Park

NPOB v Tukapa, Vogeltown Park

Inglewood v Clifton, TET Stadium

Coastal v Spotswood United, Rahotu Domain