Ngatapa keen to build on winning momentum

Ngatapa, seen here against OBM in May, will be hoping to push through a win tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard.

OBM and Ngatapa meet at Rugby Park tomorrow, with second spot on the premier table up for grabs . . . and only three games remaining before the playoffs.

“It’s a pretty simple equation,” said Larsawn Ngatapa coach Will Faulks, whose side are third, one point behind Enterprise Cars OBM. “If we win we go to second, and the guys are keen to keep building our momentum. But we’re looking at it game by game and we know that OBM will be a stern test of where we are at.”

Faulks missed last week’s 16-14 victory over Waikohu, Ngatapa’s seventh successive win, but watched a recording of the match.

“It was good to get four points from a very tough game,” Faulks said. “Our defence was good but we still need to improve our set pieces, ruck area and kicking. Once again I’m expecting tomorrow’s game to be won up front. We need a big performance from our forwards. Our backs are doing some good things when they get front-foot ball.”

Prop Campbell Chrisp, who was a late withdrawal last week with a knee injury, has not recovered. However, Cameron Rouden (halfback), Calais Collins (winger) and Jason Jones (prop) are back on deck.

“We have a good squad around us now and some tough selections to make, particularly at hooker. Most of our backs are really versatile, so it is all about trying to get the best fit for our game plan.”

OBM go into the game on the back of a 116-0 win against Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates and coach Stu Blair said it would be a similar line-up for tomorrow’s clash.

“James Grogan is still out with a knee injury, otherwise we be pretty much the same,” said Blair, who rates Ngatapa “the form team and probably the team to beat”.

OBM received a boost with the return from injury of in-form No.8 James Rutene. Blair said he was hoping for fine weather.

“We want to use the ball and the boys are looking forward to playing on Rugby Park."

While reluctant to single out individuals, Blair said prop Lance Dickson had been consistent all year.

“Murray Hewson is starting to hit his straps, which is a good sign, and Jacob Cook always gives 100 percent.”