The Upper Clutha premier rugby team (The Rams) has secured a home semi-final this weekend with a comfortable 38-5 win over Alexandra yesterday (Saturday August 8).

The bonus point win ensured the Rams remain in second place in the Central Otago Premier Rugby Competition with five wins from seven matches. An undefeated Cromwell won the minor premiership and will play fourth placed Wakatipu in the other semi-final match.

The Rams will take on Arrowtown, a side they beat in a pre-season warm up but succumbed to 20-16 in the regular competition. Arrowtown, last year’s champion, has been in erratic form with losses to Cromwell and Maniototo, and a draw against Wakatipu, but they will bring a formidable forward pack to Wanaka with experience in big matches.

Since losing to Arrowtown the Rams forward pack has been bolstered by the return of lock Brendon Murdoch and loose forward Sam Calder. Both are highly experienced players and add significant size and power to a mobile pack.

Parity up front is imperative if the Rams are to have a tilt at the championship title as they boast the most talented and impressive backline in the competition. First five Brodie Flannery and second five Oliver Stirling have been in great form and with front foot ball their leadership may well be the difference between the sides.

“It looks as though we’ll have pretty much everyone available,” Rams head coach Paul Glynn said. “There’s always a few niggles at this time of year but we’ll look after the boys this week and get them into the right headspace. Final’s is about getting the little things right and the big things take care of themselves.”

Upper Clutha Rugby Club vice president Nathan Simon said it was great for the club to host the semi-final. “We’re very fortunate to be in this position and hope to see the town get behind the boys. When we won the championship in 2018 the team was really buoyed by the support so we hope to see plenty of people at the match, dressed in yellow and black, and corralling the ground.”

The semi-final match will be played at the Upper Clutha Rugby Club this Saturday August 15, kick off 2.30pm.

Scores:

Wakatipu 81 Cromwell Cavaliers 10

Alexandra 5 Upper Clutha 38

Cromwell 28 Maniototo 10

Matakanui 15 Arrowtown 43

Table:

PHOTO: Wanaka App