Colts add new dimension in Pirongia
Pirongia rugby trainings started off well with good numbers attending, but with players and coaches going down with Covid, training was put on hold for a couple of weeks.
In the last few weeks, numbers have built back up and trainings continue to go well.
The Pirongia A side, looking to build on last year’s top six placing, played their first Waikato Club Rugby Division 1 match on April 9 against Southern United, competing well for much of the game but going down 34-14.
Unfortunately, the three preseason games organised were cancelled due to Covid, so the team has gone into the season a little underdone.
Their only pre-season match was a game of three halves against Taupiri (lost 12-5) and Te Rapa (won 19-0).
Pirongia have retained the services of experienced coaches Waylon Tangohau, Johnny de Thierry and Cameron Coombes and the team has a settled look about it.
Key gains for the squad have been strong and aggressive loose forwards Stan Rhind and Sam Shaw after both returned from Wairarapa, exciting hooker Beau Jenkins and the experienced former Old Glory DC prop Gordon Fullerton who will be joining his brother Andy in the front row.
The key loss from the 2021 forwards is Dylan Coull who has moved closer to home to play for Waitomo RFC.
In the backs, the experience of former Waikato, Counties Manukau, Thames Valley and Wairarapa Bush rep Armyn Sanders was invaluable last year and there are high hopes for him again in 2022.
The loss of Sam Hunter and Tom
Kirkbride through injury will leave a gap though.
The team is captained by inspirational loose forward Kayden Moorfield.
The team has an experienced forward pack they hope can give good fast ball to their young, exciting backline.
The B side again has a core of last year’s players back as well as new blood coming through.
Neil Florence and Mark Inia will again coach this side.
The exciting news this season is that Pirongia have a Colts (under 21) team up and running again. They have had excellent numbers with at least 30 players registered.
The Colts have been training the house down with outstanding numbers attending.
An excellent team bond has already been created within this young team which is made up from a number of 2021 Te Awamutu 1st XV players and captained by inspirational loose forward Jay Seabeck.
The team has experienced exPirongia A and Waikato age group coach Chris Gibson as coach and he is assisted by club stalwarts Te Oti Kaihe and Layne Kerr.
They have had two pre-season games under their belt so far, going down to Waitete Colts 24-17 in a game that saw Pirongia grow with confidence as the game progressed.
Last Thursday night saw them play United Matamata Sports Colts, going down 27-12 in a physical encounter.
The junior club has just finished registration and has over 160 players on board this year.
For more information regarding junior rugby contact Jason Harrison.
The club has a strong and active committee with Greg Gane in his second year as president.
Pirongia again are fortunate to have in excess of 50 sponsors who help support the club.
Their main sponsors this year are Finch Contracting, Ecolab and
Reymer Ag Contracting. A calf scheme has also been set up to support the club.
For more information and match reports, head to the Finch Contracting Pirongia Rugby Facebook page.
You are welcome to contact the coaches or just pop down to the club.
Trainings are on Tuesday and Thursday from 7pm.
2022 PIRONGIA RUGBY SQUAD: Tim Bird, Andrew Charleston, Cameron Coombes, Shaun Coutts, Lucas Dampney, Matthew Findsen, Todd Foster, Andy Fullerton, Gordon Fullerton, Greg Gane, Jaden Gate, Kingston Grant, Dylan Hanning, Liam Hobbs, Jos Hut, Beau Jenkins, Jake Lloyd, Matt Lowe, Mackenzie Macky, Kayden Moorfield (c), Cody Moretensen, Thomas Pole, Stan Rhind, Rawiri Riddell, Ben Rush, Armyn Sanders, Bennett Sanson, Sean Scott, Sam Shaw, Graham Wade, Jack Wade, Devante Waho
PIRONGIA FIRST ROUND FIXTURES:
April 9 lost 14-32 v Southern United Pirongia B lost 7-39 v Southern United B
NO GAMES EASTER WEEKEND April 23 v Taupiri (HOME) April 30 v Leamington (AWAY) May 7 v Suburbs (AWAY)
May 14 v Frankton (HOME) May 21 v O¯ haupo¯ (HOME)
May 28 v Hinuera (AWAY) NO GAMES QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
June 11 v Puta¯ruru (AWAY) June 18 v Te Rapa (HOME)
PIRONGIA COLTS DRAW: April 23 v United Matamata (AWAY) April 30 v Hamilton Marist (HOME) May 7 v Fraser Tech (AWAY) May 14 v Hamilton Old Boys (HOME) May 21 v Te Awamutu Sports (HOME) May 28 v Waitete (AWAY) June 4 v Hautapu (HOME) June 11 v Leamington (AWAY) June 18 v Morrinsville (HOME)