Good start for Stratford/eltham
Stratford/eltham’s good start to the CMK premier club rugby competition is down to a developing team culture.
The central Taranaki club is two-fromtwo in the competition, along with Tukapa, following wins against Southern and Inglewood. Tomorrow, they will play Clifton in the Maunga pool at the Tikorangi Domain in the final week of the shortened first round.
Stratford/eltham coach Ross Williams said his team has been building over time.
‘‘Our good start to the year is purely down to a great group of men enjoying each other’s company and probably a consistent squad for the last few years.’’ He said the team had been dealt a blow early in the competition with injuries and Covid-19.
The club is not only chasing down rights to host the final, which will be decided after this weekend, but it also trounced defending champions Inglewood on Saturday 54-11.
The former Border coach played down the result. ‘‘We certainly aren’t reading anything into the result on the weekend against a very undermanned Inglewood team,’’ Williams said.
As for hosting the finals, it’s not something the team has discussed, he said.
‘‘It’s reliant on three teams in each club. Finals would be a wonderful event for our club but isn’t something as a premier team we have huge control over.’’
Williams is looking for the team to improve and implement new things each week. That includes more intent with their carries and cleans against a Clifton side with a deep roster that doesn’t lack quality.
Clifton coach Colin Cooper said his side has made progress with attack structures and defence systems from the past two weeks. He said tomorrow will be a chal
Clifton v Stratford/eltham, Tikorangi Domain; NPOB v Spotswood United, Vogeltown Park; Coastal v Tukapa, Rahotu Domain; Southern v Inglewood, Hicks Park. All matches kick off at 2.45pm.
lenge. ‘‘We’re looking forward to the contest at our home with our supporters. Stratford/eltham has shown they’re a team well coached and well led.’’
Elsewhere, New Plymouth Old Boys (NPOB) host Spotswood United at Vogeltown Park in the Moana pool.
NPOB has the edge over Stratford/ Eltham when it comes to hosting the finals in July, because of their stronger points differential. However, the other grade results will determine where they will be held given NPOB premiers lost one game.
NPOB is coming off a strong win against Coastal. Spotswood United is a young side but has opportunities to grow.
Coastal is back at home this time to play Tukapa at the Rahotu Domain.
In a repeat of last year’s semifinal, the Moana pool match has developed into an intense rivalry over the years.
In the remaining game, Southern is home to Inglewood at Hicks Park in Hāwera in the Maunga pool. Southern is yet to record a win this season.