ClydeEarnscleugh seeks a big finish to its season

CLYDEEARNSCLEUGH is hoping to finish the season with a bang, hoping to go backtoback over its nearest rival.

It has been a mixed season for the club, which was initially looking like it would have good numbers to field a side.

Coach Tony Hammington said at the start of the season the club was looking fine for players.

‘‘We thought we had upwards of 28 players, but when push came to shove we probably had about a dozen players,’’ he said.

‘‘So we got some young guys [to] come to us from Cromwell, who had too many, and they have been really enthusiastic for the game.

‘‘We’ve had good numbers and trainings have always had good turnouts. But we probably lack that bulk in the forwards, and that makes a big difference,’’

Hammington, who is in his first year as one of three coaches with the side, said the spirit within the team had always been good .

The team had hung tough together, and some of the young players had made real progress throughout the season.

It has been on the wrong end of some scorelines, but had never stopped working hard, although it was forced to default to Wakatipu a couple of weeks ago.

It was beaten 5325 by Matakanui Combined last week, which was disappointing, but the side was ready to take on Alexandra tomorrow. Hammington said the side had beaten Alexandra in the first round, so this was a chance to do the double over its neighbour.

There is just one round left of Central Otago rugby after tomorrow’s action. There are a couple of big games tomorrow. Arrowtown will travel to Queenstown, to play Wakatipu at the Queenstown Recreation Ground, while Cromwell will host Upper Clutha at Anderson Park, in another matchup between top four sides.

In the other match, Matakanui Combined takes on Maniototo at Omakau.

We thought we had upwards of 28 players, but when push came to shove we probably

had about a dozen players