Avalon determined to be back at the top

THE old-timers are out Avalon way.

Premier coach Scott Waldrom’s side is proving club rebuilds are possible when a bit of patience and a dose of structure are added on top of a healthy foundation.

After three years in the doldrums, Avalon’s top side is unbeaten after three rounds of the Hardham Cup heading into today’s match against Northern United at Fraser Park.

Waldrom and backs coach Jason Alkens have guided their team to 13 wins from 14 matches as they chase a simple goal of ‘‘earning’’ their right to play in Wellington’s top flight competition next season.

The Wellington Rugby Union plans to open the top grade up to a criteria-based application, but Avalon’s premier side isn’t interested in a free passage.

‘‘Our whole thing this season has been about proving ourselves and and earning the right, rather than automatically going up next year,’’ Waldrom said yesterday. ‘‘The club has a senior firsts, a colts, a women’s team and an 80/80s, so we have big numbers.

‘‘The senior ones are unbeaten in the second round, they only lost two in the first round, the 80-80s have only lost one game all season and women finished fourth, which is pretty good considering how young they are. The club is in good health.’’

The former All Black’s passion comes from a long playing career in the maroon and light blue of Avalon, a club that won the Swindale Shield in 1991, but has fallen on tough times since being demoted from the Swindale Shield, first in 2009, then again in 2011.

But Waldrom, in his second year on the premier side’s coaching staff, knows the job is only half done and today he believes he will get a true measure of where his squad is at after wins over Johnsonville, Marist St Pats B and Old Boys University B.

‘‘This is where we will know where we are at compared to a quality premier team,’’ he said.

‘‘Norths won five games in the Swindale Shield and they are cer-

smiling

again tainly a step above everyone else in the Hardham Cup. This is where we find out where we are hopefully going back into premier grade next year.’’

Avalon’s rebirth has come from within with all but a few of the premier side living locally and having come through the club’s junior ranks and many through Naenae and Taita colleges.

Key to Avalon’s success is first five-eighth Cameron Cross, a club veteran, while the arrival of Wellington Lions triallist, blindside flanker Ata Langilangi from Auckland, and wing Karl Uielea from Christchurch has also helped.

Those three have thrived on the hard work of a pack Waldrom says has held its own all season. Beat Norths today and their reputations will soar further.

In other key matches in the Hardham Cup, fifth-placed Wellington play sixth-placed OBU B at Hataitai Park, while fourth-placed Johnsonville play unbeaten Poneke B.

Meanwhile, in the Jubilee Cup, the top four sides play each other with co-leaders Wainuiomata and Hutt Old Boys Marist hosting fourth-placed Oriental-Rongotai and third-placed Marist St Pats, respectively.

With Ories, Old Boys University, Petone and Tawa all tied on six points, there is plenty to be lost and gained in the fourth round of what shapes as a tight race to make the semifinals.