July 18th, 2015

Mataura Set For Top Eight 1983

Height and weight in the pack combined with a fleet-footed backline should put Mataura in the top eight of the competition this season.

The Mataura coach, George Clode, will be with the team for his third season and has hinted this year's line up will ensure a more rounded approach.  He said Mataura relied on its forwards too much last year, and this trend would be changed to allow for maximum use of wings and full-back. Reece Pewhairangi.  Pre-season matches against Riversdale, Te Anau, Waiau Star and Pirates have prepared the team for a touch competition season and Mr Clode is pleased with the level of fitness.
Leading the team again this year from the front will be prop, Alistair King.  With him in the front row will be Kerry Marshall.  Either Jack Turnbull or Mike Corcoran - who has returned south after a period at Lincoln - will be the team's hooker.
Another prodigal player fro Lincoln will be Charles Bothwick who, with Gary Cowan and Trevor Newton will lock the Mataura pack.
Loose forwards will be flankers, Martin Smith, Reg Waipori, Brian Miller and Dave Cowan who played in the second grade last year.  Grant Copeand will complete the scrum, playing no. 8 while other utility forwards are Tony Wynard and Murray Gray.
Bothwick, Newton and Cowan should be the key to some healthy line-out possession but a big loss to the team this season will be the absence of first five eight, Terry Ashby who was injured in a motor accident.  His place will be taken by Ken Scott who played for the third grade team last year. The remainder of the team will be made up from Ian Swain, Pat Cowan Gerrard O'Neill, Dave Goddard, Warren Patterson, Kenneth Clarke - who has come up fro the third grade after breaking an arm last season.  Ian Edgar and Reece Pewhairangi.
Some culling still needs to be done although this year Mr Clode wil be aiming for a constant combination.

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