“But considering we were without most of our forwards due to a tangi and only used one of our loan players, we’ll take the win . . . we don’t get them very often.”
Ensor, who doesn’t go in for “coach-speak”, said it was a bit of both when asked if the Coast played well or the opposition were poor.
“There were patches when we played some really good football, especially the backs, and getting a win before the Heartland competition is good for morale. But there were times when Eastern Bay of Plenty were bad.”
With several front-line forwards missing, Ruatoria City No.8 Te Teira Maxwell, clubmate Jack Richardson (openside flanker) and TVC lock Hoani Te Moana put their hands up for a place in the 22 for the trip to Te Kuiti.
'Te Teira was our player of the day'“Te Teira was our player of the day,” Ensor said.
“Jack came in last week for his first game, against Thames Valley, and really impressed.
“He’s a bolter who got the opportunity after players were unavailable, and he backed it up with another top game against Eastern Bay of Plenty.
“He’s a bit different from our normal Coast players — a Pakeha with red hair — but he gets stuck in and plays with the commitment we expect from all the boys.
“Hoani and Verdon Bartlett missed last week’s match, and Verdon showed his class at second five and centre.
“Morris Siliko cemented his place as one of our loan players, at fullback. We weren’t too concerned about the score — it was more about the performance — but Morris scored three tries.”
Ensor, now in his second season as co-coach, along with Troy Para, admitted that coaching the Coast was a challenge.
“I don’t think people appreciate how hard it is getting players — who have to travel from town and around the Coast — to training.
“I certainly didn’t appreciate how difficult it would be to organise training sessions around work commitments for all the squad members.
Coach loving the challenge“But I’m loving the challenge and looking forward to Saturday’s match.
“What I’ve noticed about the Heartland teams over the years is that — apart from the Wanganuis, North Otagos and some other South Island sides — the teams can change a lot from year to year.
“I can’t see us knocking over the big guns.
“But, if we can get all our squad available and pick our best 22 each week, I believe we can compete with the other teams.
“One thing we probably will have to look at is separate midweek training sessions during the week, one in town for the town players and one on the Coast for Coast boys.
“Then we can get together on Friday in town for the Te Kuiti match and get a good training session in, without overdoing the heavy stuff, before we fly out around 2pm.”
