Spotswood United players return after default

Will Johnston 

Spotswood United has recovered after it was forced to default last weekend’s CMK premier club rugby match against New Plymouth Old Boys.  

Without a starting front row because of players being unavailable, the match couldn’t proceed and Old Boys automatically walked away with five competition points.  

It was the third default in the premier competition in 12 months. Last year, Spotswood United and Old Boys withdrew from matches while Covid was lingering.  

But a week on, Spotswood United coach Matt Goodwin said while the team is still missing some players for the next few weeks, the club will rally together when it plays Coastal at the Okato Domain on Saturday.  

“We will be fielding our strongest possible team with the stock we have available and to get some much-needed game time under our belts,” he said.  

He said last weekend gave players a chance to “recharge the batteries,” support the division one side or spend it with family.  

Despite being winless so far this season, Goodwin is happy with a number of players, especially those coming back from pre-season injuries.  

He singled out former Southland loose forward Arese Poliko, Amaani Vercoe Aoina, Will Ingles, Ethan Reti, captain Louis Bartley-Seana and Ezra Low, who have all front with 80-minute performances so far this season.  

With Coastal beckoning, who are also searching for their first win, Goodwin said it will be a good test in the forwards.  

“Coastal teams are always tough up front, so we expect them to play a relatively tight game against us and ask their game drivers to play a territory game.”  

Coastal has been there or thereabouts this season and is also looking for its first win. They enjoyed throwing the ball out wide in last weekend’s loss to Stratford/Eltham.  

Elsewhere, Southern travel north to play defending champions Tukapa on old timers’ day at Sanders Park. 

Southern will want to recover after Clifton snapped its three-match winning streak in the dying stages of last weekend’s game, while Tukapa comfortably beat Inglewood at TET Stadium.  

All eyes will be on the forward battle, which has been well-led by Southern and former Irish prop Michael Bent. 

Stratford/Eltham host Clifton at Victoria Park in what will be a competitive encounter.  

The home team looked tidy against Coastal last weekend, while Clifton narrowly won last week to pick up its third win.   

Competition leaders Old Boys are favourites against Inglewood at Vogeltown Park.  

While Old Boys didn’t have a game last weekend, the players stayed connected with a light training on Saturday morning.   

Inglewood will be reeling after a heavy defeat.  

Heading into the weekend, Southern, Tukapa, Stratford/Eltham and Clifton all have the same win-loss record and only two-points separate second and fifth place.  

Kick off for all matches is at 2:45pm. 

In the women’s competition, Coastal host Clifton in Rahotu at 11:30am and Inglewood play Okaiawa at TET Stadium at 4:30pm. Competition leaders Southern has the bye.