“It’s the last game of the season. Wouldn’t it be great — and no more than the boys deserve — if we were to get the win.”
Despite losing 56-10 to Wanganui, the Sky Blues showed enough to suggest they will give West Coast a game.
Unfortunately for Para and Ensor, West Coast need the win to cement their place in the Lochore Cup playoffs (fifth-to eighth) after a 23-5 loss to Wairarapa Bush in Greymouth last week
“Wairarapa didn’t do us any favours,” Para said.
“It was always going to be a tough game and that result makes it even harder, but the boys are determined to get that elusive win and break the drought.
“We (Para and Ensor) believe we’re not far off getting a win. Last week’s effort was really encouraging. Now we have to back that up with another performance.”
Although East Coast will finish bottom of the table, there have been some tremendous individual displays all season from players wearing the Sky Blue, none more so than halfback Sam Parkes.
Parkes has been magnificent. Had he been in any other team, he would have been a contender for the Heartland Championship team, named at the end of the season.
One of the unsung heroes of the side is Parkes’s Uawa teammate, hooker Wyntah Riki.
He was rewarded for an outstanding season, helping Uawa win the Rangiora Keelan Memorial Shield as Coast club champions, with selection for the Coast Heartland squad and he has justified his inclusion with strong performances every week.
NGATI POROU EAST COAST (1-15): Pera Bishop, Wyntah Riki, Perrin Manuel, Hone Haerewa (captain), Adaam Ross, Rikki Kernohan, Jack Richardson, Hoani Te Moana, Sam Parkes, Ngarangi Haerewa, Fabyan Kahaki, Verdon Bartlett, Jayden Milner, Epeli Lotawa, Morrison Siliko. Reserves: Daniel Knubley, Tim Barbarich, Scott Lasenby, Trent Proffit, CJ Fox, David Manuel, Jesse Rye.