Premier Division rugby kicks off
Morrinsville Rugby and Sports re-enters the Premier Division of the Waikato Rugby Club competition this Saturday.
The Morrinsville outfit will take on Otorohanga at home, at Campbell Park, in the first of two consecutive home games to kick off the 2018 season.
Morrinsville fought to be promoted into the top level of club rugby after spending 2017 in the Division 1 competition.
The club’s president Dean Nicholson said it was great to be back in the Premier Division.
‘‘We started out in 1996 and it took us two years to get into the Premier Division and we’ve only been out of it once, that was last year.
‘‘Our aim at this stage in the season is to get into the top eight of the competition. After round one (mid-way point in competition) one of the teams will drop down a division.
‘‘If you stay in the top part of the premiership, you are assured to remain there for the next season. In the second round of the season, we’ll review and look to adjust our focus.’’
Nicholson said the preseason build up had been good and all of the club’s teams were looking forward to the new season.
About 220 boys would play rugby through the club, in the top two senior teams, the colts, under 85kgs team and all of the junior teams.
‘‘We’ve had some good numbers come through in preseason, players are very enthusiastic. The premier team has been training hard which is what they’ll have to do in that premier division.’’
Nicholson said the premier team had some players return from last season, a few promoted from the colts division and a few new faces.
Waikato Sevens player Dwayne Sweeney would also ‘‘pull on his boots for the club again’’, said Nicholson.
Sweeney had been dogged by an injury late last year which hindered his job as captain of the Waikato rugby team in the national provincial competition.
‘‘He was part of the Waikato Sevens team this year which won the national tournament in January, so he’s back to full fitness, that’s good.’’
In other games on Saturday, University takes on Hautapu, Melville will play TA Sports, Hamilton Marist will play Hamilton Old Boys, Fraser Tech has a bye. All games kick off at 2.30pm.
Last weekend Morrinsville Rugby and Sports also hosted a 10s tournament at Campbell Park.
Teams from Ponsonby, Pukekohe, East Coast, Waiuku, Grammar Tech, Kumeu, Waitakere, Papakura and University entered the competition.
In the end it was Ponsonby 10, Morrinsville Sports 0, to win the tournament final.