CLUB RUGBY:

Tukapa coach Ben Siffleet is aware that defending champions New Plymouth Old Boys are seeking revenge when they meet at Sanders Park on Saturday.

In the first round of the CMK premier club rugby competition, Tukapa beat Old Boys at Vogeltown Park, but Siffleet knows a lot has changed in seven weeks.

“They will no doubt believe they owe us one after the first round and they have some quality players returning from injury. Old Boys are a great side all over the park with some awesome young talent”, he said.

Key players returning from injury has contributed to their recent run of form in the competition, Siffleet said.

That form has seen Tukapa win the last four matches with the new players proofing their worth too.

“All the boys have been doing their job and stepping up as we get to the business end of the season. Some of the new boys are now feeling more at home with premier footy”.

Old Boys had a mixed first round which saw them win three matches.

Coach Michael Carr said the side must continue to build on last weekend’s performance that saw them beat Southern.

“We were able to stay composed when we were put under real pressure by Southern early and worked ourselves back into the contest”.  

Carr said there is plenty of history that drives this game.

“The cross-town rivalry has been fuelled and built on years of tradition, close matches and legendary stories of times past. Every player from each club wants to win and it’s always extra special to get one over your traditional foe”, he said.

Carr admitted that the competition is ‘unbelievably’ close.

“More than ever before, every game is vital”.

In other matches, Clifton will host Coastal in the top of the table match at the Tikorangi Domain.

Clifton are coming off a win against Inglewood that saw them move into first equal spot with Tukapa and Coastal, who beat Spotswood United.

Spotswood United will host Stratford/Eltham at Yarrow Stadium in what will be an interesting forward battle.

Both scrums have been strong during the competition with Stratford/Eltham dominating in the first round beating this weekend’s opponents.

Inglewood will travel to Hawera to play Southern with the home side looking for revenge after the first round.

All matches kick off at 2:45pm.

Article added: Thursday 23 May 2019