League: Ngongotaha back to full strength for clash

Ngongotaha Chiefs player Harlem Lea tigaga-Angell and his team will look for a much improved performance in the second half of the Waicoa Bay premiership.

The Ngongotaha Chiefs camp is positive ahead of the start to the second round of the Waicoa Bay premiership despite a difficult first half to their season.

Bottom of the table Ngongotaha will take on fellow league strugglers Turangawaewae away tomorrow in round 10 of the competition.

And the side are feeling refreshed after last weekend's game against Pacific Sharks was postponed due to ground closure.

Manager Andrew Taylor is confident Ngongotaha can turn their season around and is boosted by having a full squad to pick from for the first time this season.

"We didn't have a great round one but it's time to make a change," he said.

"I really think we can start to push up the league and I'm positive we can get a good couple of wins to our name in the next few fixtures.

"Everybody is looking good in training and finally we are back to full strength.

"The players are confident and the current table doesn't show the whole story. We have excellent team spirit and we are all ready to get some points on the board."

Turangawaewae go into this weekend's game with the upper hand - with one win and a draw from their first nine fixtures.

Whilst Ngongotaha only have one win this season but have a game in hand over their opponents.

Both teams will be looking to improve on their point tallies in matches so far this season with Ngongotaha having recorded just 94 - and Turangawaewae 148.

Taylor has targeted the defence as "an area to work on" after conceding 300 points.

"We have been building on our defence over the last couple of weeks and I want to see this on the pitch," he said.

"You can't win games if you are conceding more than you score and you can build confidence in the team if you know you have got a strong solid defence.

"We have given the ball away too cheaply previously but I'm confident we will have strong combinations and sets in this second round."

Ngongotaha will look to make head way in the league as they face second from bottom United away in round 11.

They will need a positive result as the following week they face current top of the table Hamilton City Tigers at home.

Meanwhile, Pikiao Warriors have a bye tomorrow after a nail biting 18-all draw against Taupo Phoenix last weekend.

Tomorrow's games:

Waicoa Bay Premiership
* (all 2.30pm kick-off)
* Turangawaewae v Ngongotaha Chiefs, Patterson Park, Ngaruawahia; Hamilton City Tigers v Pacific Sharks, Resthills Park, Hamilton; Taniwharau v Taupo Phoenix, Davies Park, Huntly; United v Otumoetai Eels, Resthills Park, Hamilton; Pikiao Warriors - bye