Despite 16 front line senior rugby players missing for Waimea Old Boys, the two senior teams managed two victories on Saturday.
Waimea Old Boys division one overcame a sluggish first half and a halftime deficit to down East Coast 33-19, while a determined senior B team got the better of Stoke 18-6 in what was a more disciplined performance and maintained the team’s strong defensive record.
The As had more locks than loose forwards for their match against East Coast.
They also tried James Lash at fullback and Eli Kneepkens at 10.
The duo seemed to have more success when they swapped back to their original positions in the second half.
Coach Mark Milne says despite trailing 19-12 to the Kaikoura-based team at halftime and coming off the previous week’s heavy defeat to Moutere, he wasn’t worried at the break.
“We hung on to the ball, I wasn’t nervous at halftime I thought if we held onto the ball we would be fine.
“This game is all about possession and in the first half East Coast made us pay for not treasuring it.”
It was a hat-trick of tries to James with ignited the fuse for Waimea Old Boys in the second half.
Hard working winger Mitch Amberger picked up a deserved try as did Mike Stringer.
East Coast were gallant in the first half but ill-discipline and poor general play kicking allowed Waimea Old Boys to pounce as the match wore on.
Mark says he would continue to use James and Eli in the two roles in an effort to keep their oppoenents guessing
The coach was furious with the defensive effort against Moutere last week but says he saw a major step up from his players.
Mark says the three-week Marlborough road-trip his team now embarks on makes for three must win games.
“This is the part of the season we love most and we have processes that go on during this time of the season so we will have some fun and enjoy the time away.”
