Midlands shaping nicely as competition contender
MIDLANDS coach Dayna Cunningham is well aware his players have just plastered a target on their backs as the Wintonbased club emerges as a favourite in the Southland division one club rugby competition.
Midlands are unbeaten after four games, but it is what they have produced in the past two weeks that has attracted attention.
Cunningham’s charges beat Wyndham in a clash of the unbeaten teams before demolishing Waiau Star 720 on Saturday at Tuatapere Domain.
The week before Waiau Star had been pipped by just one point by defending champion Edendale before it felt the wrath of a redhot Midlands unit.
Midlands ran in 12 tries in total, with centre Aaron McDowell crossing for four tries.
‘‘We didn’t really see that coming,’’ Cunningham said when reflecting on such a big win.
Midlands led 340 at halftime and Cunningham urged his players players to show a ruthless streak. He told them the performance would be judged by what they produced in the second half.
They responded, running in 38 unanswered secondhalf points.
Cunningham acknowledged Waiau Star was down on numbers and missing some key players.
On the flipside, Midlands strength at the moment is their depth, highlighted by the luxury of rolling out the likes of loose forward Tim Watt from the bench.
Cunningham said the side would need to continue to get better as the season progressed.
‘‘We are probably ahead of where we thought we would be at this stage, which is really pleasing.
‘‘We do probably have a target on our backs now, though. We know teams are going to lift when they play us now.’’
There were standouts across the park in the big win over Waiau Star. Tight forwards Stu Thompson and Hamish Anderson were two of the key figures.
In other division one games on Saturday, Waikaka delivered an impressive 4126 win over Riversdale, Wyndham bounced back from its loss to Midlands to topple Mossburn 3713, while Edendale beat Te Anau 2813.
In lower division action, a mouthwatering clash is brewing for Wednesday night between Otautau and Mataura in the division three competition.
The two teams are unbeaten to date. Mataura’s latest victory was a 3410 win over Bush Pirates on Saturday.
Otautau also continued its fine start with a 346 victory over BalfourLumsden.
The teams will clash on Wednesday night in Riverton.
In the third division three game on Saturday, Bluff beat OhaiNightcaps 2719.
In section A of the division two competition, DrummondLimehillsStar posted its first win of the season with a 54nil victory over Waikiwi.
AlbionExcelsior turned in arguably its best performance to date to remain unbeaten when it beat Tokanui 4320 on Saturday.
Riverton pushed Pioneer hard but it was Pioneer who grabbed a 2619 win.
In section B of division two, Star remained unbeaten with a 2410 win over PiratesOld Boys, as did Blues, who made it four from four when they beat Woodlands 3520.
In the third game of the round, Wakatipu ran out a big winner, 4019, over Marist.