Collingwood hosts rugby final
A highly-anticipated grassroots second division rugby decider will take place this weekend with an unbeaten Collingwood set to meet Riwaka.
For Riwaka the match looms as the club’s most important since their 1993 division one final victory over Stoke.
For their Golden Bay opponents it presents an opportunity to win their first title since 1999.
A convoy of two buses and carloads of supporters will leave Riwaka’s Cook Reserve clubrooms early Saturday morning,
Riwaka’s chairman Nick Fry is anticipating a special day for players and supporters of both teams.
‘‘I’m hoping Collingwood are going to be able to cope - there are a lot of us coming over,’’ he said.
‘‘Everyone’s humming here in Riwaka and I’m sure it’s the same over there.’’
Despite two losses at the hands of Collingwood, Riwaka finished third-top qualifiers for last weekend’s semi-finals and a 19-16 win over Waimea Old Boys confirmed a place in this week’s decider.
Collingwood just managed to preserve their unbeaten record in their semi-final, coming back from a 3-14 deficit to overcome Huia 15-14 at home.
Collingwood coach Graeme Miller was a member of the 1999 title winning team.
He said a win on Saturday would not only break a 17 year drought but would be the perfect culmination of five years’ hard work by ‘‘a close bunch of guys’’.
Family connections are plentiful within Collingwood’s ranks with James Forbes taking to the field alongside son Stacey.
Miller insisted he would only play in extreme circumstances, but his 20 year-old son Liam is a key figure at first five-eighth.
Collingwood President Mark Strange has been busy with last minute preparations to the Recreation Ground surface as well as making provisions for the forecasted wet weather on matchday.
A former player and now life member of the club, he was pleased to hold such an important game in front of the Collingwood faithful.
‘‘It’s a real bonus, but the players have worked hard all season and haven’t lost a game yet, so it’s well deserved.’’
Kickoff for the match is 1pm at Collingwood Recreation Ground, while at Trafalgar Park the Division One final between Marist and Wanderers kicks off at 3pm.
Motueka High School plays Marist in the women’s final from 1pm.