Installation of lights transformational for Kurow
KUROW Rugby Club had the bright ideal to install lights at its ground 18 years ago.
The club switched them on last Saturday for its seasonopener against Maheno.
The game did not go as planned — Maheno won 2120.
But Kurow committee member and pastpresident Calum Reid said it was a wonderful occasion.
A crowd of about 600 to 700 showed up — some for the novelty and some because they are regulars.
But having lights is, in Reid’s view, transformational for the club. He was president when the idea was first tabled in 2003.
Plenty of hard work has gone on in the interim to see the project through.
Initially, the project was not affordable. But with the help of a fundraising drive, it eventually got done.
The poles went in a couple of years ago and the lights were installed last month in time for the new season. There is still some work ahead. One of the poles is only temporary.
There has been a delay getting materials but the final pole should be in place by the end of the month, Reid said.
Kurow has rigged up lights and played night games at the venue previously, but having permanent lights makes it a much more viable option.
It used to be two or three days’ work to set up temporary scaffolding but now it is a matter and flicking the switch.
The lights will earn their keep again when Kurow hosts a game on Thursday night before the duckshooting season.
Tomorrow’s game is against Old Boys and has been shifted from 2.30pm to 5pm.
Old Boys had a 7512 win against Excelsior, so will present Kurow with a big challenge.
Kurow coach Tim Anderson said he had a competitive side but the team ‘‘will need to execute what we are trying to do better’’.
‘‘We’ll need to be a bit more physical around the contact zone.’’
Frontrowers Bailey Templeton and Robbie Richardson are key players, while loose forward and captain Josh Reid has a high work rate and is strong over the ball.
Centre Taniela Samita is new to the club and is expected to have a big impact in the midfield.