No time for second guessing for Kura
The wheels haven’t fallen off the Papakura Sea Eagles.
That’s coach Richie Blackmore’s assurance to Kura supporters ahead of their team’s Fox Memorial Trophy semi final against the Pt Chevalier Pirates at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.
A loss to the defending premiers won’t matter because the loser has a life and will play the winner of the other semi final between the Mt Albert Lions and the Glenora Bears.
But a third defeat in four games will be hard for Blackmore to swallow at the business end of the Fox.
A 32-24 loss to the Howick Hornets in round 16 was excusable. But the 32-20 defeat to the Glenora Bears in Glen Eden last Saturday is certain to have the minor premiers and Rukutai Shield holder second guessing themselves, days out from the playoffs.
‘‘We’re frustrated and disappointed. There’s no doubt about that but the wheels certainly haven’t fallen off,’’ Blackmore says.
‘‘We know what we can do. We know what we’re capable off. We just can’t afford to let ourselves get distracted to quickly when things don’t go our way as they did against Glenora.
‘‘When a team wings 15 straight games and then drops a couple they start second guessing. We can’t afford that. I’ve a good bunch of boys and we’ve got to quickly put those distractions behind us.’’
The Sea Eagles have two other teams in trophy contention, the premier 1sts and the premier women’s.
The premier 1sts rounded up their season with a comprehensive 30-16 win over Glenora in Glen Eden last Saturday to finish second behind the Mt Albert Lions in the final standings.
The pair meet in the first round of semi finals at Fowlds Park, Manurewa on Saturday with the winner going directly to the grand final and the loser playing the winner of the second semi final between Glenora and Pt Chevalier.
The Papakura Sisters round off their season with a 30-0 win over the Bay Roskill Vikings.
They face their neighbours and arch rivals, the Marlins Wahine at Mountfort Park, Manurewa in the semi final on Sunday at 2.00pm.
The winner gets the direct passage to the grand final. The loser faces another semi final.