CLUB RUGBY:

Spotswood United co-coach Mitch Williams credits team culture for getting his side back on track resulting in the team winning its last two matches in the CMK premier club rugby competition.

Williams, who is in his first year coaching the premier side with experienced coach Brent Perrett, said the team has been building very well over the past two weeks with wins against Tukapa and Clifton.

“My belief and core drive is around culture. My punt on a young team is also beginning to pay off as their confidence is growing with two very strong wins. We are beginning to find our balance between attack and positional play”, he said.  

However, heading into this weekend, Williams isn’t taking Inglewood lightly who they meet on Saturday in week five of the competition at Yarrow Stadium.

“The boys are looking forward to Inglewood, they’re coming off two big wins also. They always show up and play good footy”.

He also acknowledged that his side cannot afford to lose another match as the points are halved after the first round.

Inglewood co-coach Jason Hooper said both sides have strong packs and are on an even playing field.

“It’s going to be an important battle up front as we want our backline to play with the ball”.

Hooper said what’s helped his side over the last two weeks is by having solid leaders on the field and wants that form to continue.

In other matches, Stratford/Eltham will travel north to play New Plymouth Old Boys at Vogeltown Park.

The visitors are coming off a win against Southern and Old Boys dropped their centenary match to competition leaders Coastal last weekend.

Old Boys will be strengthened as key players returned from injury last weekend.

Coastal will have home ground advantage as they face Tukapa at the Rahotu Domain.

Tukapa, which has only won one match, has been depleted over the last few weeks due to injury but will want to bounce back from their loss against Inglewood to get their first round on track.

Coastal are full of confidence and played as a solid unit in their win over Old Boys and will look to continue its momentum in the competition.

In the final match of the weekend, Southern host Clifton at Hicks Park in Hawera.

Both teams are coming off losses but will want to make the most of the first round before points are halved in two weeks.

Article added: Friday 26 April 2019