Counties Power Game Of The Week

Saturday 24 July- Counties Power Club Rugby

Counties Power Game of the Week

Counties Power Game of the Week
U 19 - 24 July 1.00pm Karaka 
Karaka v Onewhero Farmland
Match preview posted Thursday

What is the Counties Power Game of the Week 

In a joint initiative between CMRFU and key sponsor Counties Power, the 2008 Counties Power Club Rugby had a new weekly feature the ‘Counties Power Game of the Week’ this will continue for our 2010 season.

The ‘Counties Power Game of the Week’ is carefully selected to provide unique exposure to a particular match. The aim is to offer each club at least one opportunity to be featured. For the first four weeks of the competition the ‘Counties Power Game of the Week’ are pre selected. From then on, once all teams have participated in the competition for a few weeks, key match ups and other exciting games will be selected to be the ‘Counties Power Game of the Week’. The focus will be to feature teams across the grades 19’s to Premier’s of Club Rugby.

The Steelers website and CMRFU Media partner Franklin County News will feature the ‘Counties Power Game of the Week’ each Thursday prior to the match. The rugby club hosting the ‘Counties Power Game of the Week’ will be provided with promotional material to be displayed on game day along with player of the day gifts. The player of the day gifts have been kindly provided by Counties Power and associate club rugby sponsor GJ Gardner and will be presented to one player from each team after the game

This weeks Counties Power Game of the week is the last match of the season between the Waiuku U21 and Waihi U21, kick off is at 1.00pm this Saturday at Waiuku.

Waihi are the top Thames Valley U21 side and are looking to improve their ranking from sixth to fifth this year so in order to that they must get the win and the bonus point.  The side are coming of a 31-10 win against Papakura last week and want that winning streak to continue. 

The team is coached by Colin Walker who has coached this side from their U19's days and is assisted by Matty Matich.  They narrowly lost two crucial games this season which has cost them a top four spot but are keen to finish the season on a high note.   

Walker says his side has "Really enjoy the professionalism of the competition and the clubs, teams and Union have been great to us" and knows that in order for his team play to their full potential in this final game they need to play as one unit and not a team of individuals.   

Walker has plenty of talent in his side for Waiuku to be wary of which include loose forward Brett Runga who is having a very strong season and 2nd-five Harison Madsen who has shown he is as capable on attack as he is on defense. It is also a family affair for Colin as his son Reid plays hooker and has done a good job in this position this season under Captain Jethro Mears.

Waiuku coach Paul Graham has been coaching in Waiuku for 14 years in a row but this is his first year with this U21 team.  His side had a rough start to the season but have hit their gear and have won five games in a row and are also keen to finish the season with the win.

The have the services from two exchange players from London Irish, a prop Charlie Connor and a fullback, Paddy Oswell.  The internationals boys are going well and are enjoying their time at the club after having arrived half way through the season and from all reports the Kentish staff have been looking after them well!

Captain and open side flanker Brad Olson will be looking for his boys to do what Waiuku sides do best and that is dominate up front in the wet underfoot conditions.  

These two teams are even on points on the table so for their last match of the season it will be an intense clash worth watching.  Kick off is 1.00pm at Waiuku