Sport

Rams fire up for Cromwell

They’ve set one record straight – now the Upper Clutha Rams are 80 minutes from setting another.

Garry Hape’s side has “fire” in their bellies after disposing of Wakatipu 20-5 last weekend to reach the final of the Central Otago Premier Rugby competition.

The Rams had lost twice to Wakatipu – 13-0 in late May and 17-15 in mid-June.

Now they take on a Cromwell Goats side which has swept all before it this season – and in late April staged a comeback against the Rams which still sticks in the craw.

‘We were 22-7 or 8 up and lost our discipline,” coach Garry Hape said. “And even then we had a missed penalty at the end.”

That match went 24-23 in the Goats’ favour. But the Rams’ win last weekend showed Hape’s side has an ability to fight back.

Cromwell reached the final with a tough 20-15 win over Arrowtown and has home advantage this weekend.

Hape had his charges in the swimming pool this week ahead of the regular Tuesday analysis of Andrew Watson’s video of their match. Only young open side flanker Jaiden McDonald was facing a late fitness test for the final.

It’s job part-done for Hape, who took over at the start of the season with a goal of improving on the Rams’ recent achievements of reaching the semi-finals.

Hape, who is well versed in both league and rugby and has played alongside household names in both codes, rates Mark Hammett as his favourite coach – citing his ability to introduce a strong culture into team.

It’s something Hape has set out to do this season with success.

“From the first contact we set out plans and schedules for players who will have been asking what I was going to do to improve on reaching the semi-finals.”

He also points to the formation of “an amazing management and coaching group” which has been instrumental in the campaign.

The team includes assistant coach Garth Swan, technical-tactical adviser Ross Moody, manager Aaron Wilson and assistant manager Luke Babbington supported by the physiotherapy staff at Central Lakes Physio and Pilates.

The result was an excellent preseason and a squad which is now preparing for a grand final.

“Without them I feel I wouldn’t have come this far this year,” Hape said. Saturday’s clash saw the Rams dominate for 55 minutes and run up a 20 point lead courtesy of a Matt Ward try, and a penalty try and a conversion and two penalties from the boot of Brady Kingan.

Wakatipu kept the Rams honest – and were rewarded with a try from a rolling maul.

“We didn’t capitalise on a couple of opportunities and were punished by giving away some silly penalties and then they got over the line,” Hape recalled.

The need for 80 minutes rugby will be stressed this week, but Hape was more than happy to see his side run up a good lead – testament to his mobile forward pack.

The Rams were altogether too generous when they met Cromwell in April – Hape will be determined they give nothing away on Saturday.

Get in! Al Carmichael (left) and fellow centre back Blair Scoullar were celebrating as Wānaka enjoyed an away day in Dunedin. Hattrick for Wānaka

Wānaka celebrated as all its senior teams recorded wins last Saturday for the first time this season.

The premiers beat Northern 3-0 in a clash between the two clubs at the foot of the table, while the reserves beat Teviot Valley 7-2 and the clubs’ social side won by the odd goal in nine against Cromwell.

The Southern Premiership clash at Forrester Park, Dunedin, began in sloppy fashion with neither side taking charge of the game for the first 20 minutes.

Wānaka began to grow into the game, with great runs from Paul Hodgson on the right.

As pressure mounted Wānaka had a chance when Al Carmichael rose to head straight into the gloves of Northern’s keeper Zane Green. Chances came frequently for Wānaka and Northern threatened on the break, but it was goalless at half time.

Carmichael was again at the centre of things early in the second half as Wānaka pressed down both flanks. He was fouled in the box, and duly took responsibility for taking the spot kick which was thumped into the top corner.

Striker Steve Pleskun made it two following a goal mouth scramble, then it was up to Wānaka keeper Josh Shackleton to make his mark as Northern produced a spirited, but unrewarded fight back.

Wānaka continued to dominate possession and control the game in the latter stages and were foiled by some fine save by Green.

Substitute Toa Roode helped kill off the game. His perfect 81st minute cross was met by Carmichael for his third league goal of the season.

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