Improving OBM the Shield dark horses

One down, one to go: OBM openside flanker Callum McDonald fends off Ngatapa lock Scott Brodie as second five-eighth Anthony Karauria prepares to stop McDonald during last week’s premier rugby game at Paddy’s Park, Patutahi. McDonald has quickly endeared himself to teammates and supporters with his 100 percent commitment. OBM have secured fourth place in the Lee Bros Shield playoffs and can move above YMP into second with a win at Rugby Park tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

OBM are emerging as the dark horses in the battle for the Lee Bros Shield, symbol of Gisborne club rugby supremacy.

Unbeaten in their past five premier matches, Enterprise Cars OBM are fourth on the table and on course to play competition leaders Waikohu, who cannot be overtaken in round-robin play, in the sudden-death 1 v 4, 2 v 3 playoffs.

However, if OBM have a bonus-point win against second-placed East Coast Farm Vets YMP at Rugby Park tomorrow, and deny YMP any points, OBM will leapfrog third-placed Ngatapa and YMP.

Tomorrow’s game marks the completion of YMP’s second-round campaign. If OBM secured maximum points against them and they got none, they could well drop to fourth, as Ngatapa would be expected to pick up five points in their last round-robin game against Tapuae next week, putting them ahead of the Magpies.

OBM’s last loss was on May 12 — 27-17 to Waikohu at Rugby Park.

It was a game OBM could have won, and after the match co-coach Tom Solomon said his side would take a lot of confidence from the performance.

The pack that day — Jamie Barnett, Anthony Kiwara, Lance Dickson, Jacob Cook, Evan Bryant, Te Otane Ria, Ngahiwi Manuel and Isaiah Booth — were outstanding. Add Jody Allen, Juston Allen, Rikki Terekia and Callum McDonald to them, and Solomon has a pack that the OBM supporters believe can take them all the way to the title.

Signing of former professional Jody Allen and fiery openside flanker McDonald has inspired the teamThe signing of former professional Jody Allen (prop/No.8) and fiery openside flanker McDonald has inspired the team.

Allen, getting fitter with every game, is a not-so-gentle giant who is dominating opposing teams.

McDonald, 27, is a feisty openside who, despite being in the district only three weeks, has targeted a place in the Poverty Bay team challenging Taranaki for the Ranfurly Shield on July 28.

“I’m loving it here; everybody at the club and all the people I meet have made me feel so welcome,” said McDonald, who was born in Rotorua but moved to the Gold Coast when he was 10.

“I’ve heard all about playing Heartland rugby and especially being in a Ranfurly Shield game . . . that’s my goal.

“I’m ready to give everything to make that happen.”

McDonald suffered a bad shoulder injury late in the first half against Ngatapa but played the 80 minutes, with no thought for his body.

“I’m there for the team and that’s what it’s all about . . . team.”

McDonald heard about OBM from former player Stu Donnelly, who lives on the Gold Coast.

“I played a season in Spain last year and met another guy from Gisborne who suggested I try a season here.”

YMP coach Steve Smith has watched his team lose their past two games, something he is keen to address.

“We have the skills, we have the fitness and conditioning; what we’ve lacked in the past two weeks is mental intensity,” said Smith, who has included former Poverty Bay and Ngati Porou East Coast midfield back Whaimotu Craft-Chemis in his line-up.

“Whai brings a lot of experience and speed, but we’ve got to approach the next two games — OBM and then whoever we play in the semifinal — mentally tougher than we have been recently.”

As for the different scenarios surrounding the outcome of tomorrow’s match, Smith is “focusing on this game and nothing else”.

“OBM have been building over the second round and they’ve picked up some good forwards. As usual that’s where it all starts — up front.”