Ngongotaha look to convert after close loss

Ngongotaha's Matthew Pachoud in action last month. Photo/File

Ngongotaha will be looking to convert their opportuinities into points when they take on Poroporo in the Baywide Division One competition this weekend.

Ngongotaha returns home after a narrow loss to Rangiuru last weekend, with Poroporo coming off a bye. Ngongotaha coach Jared Grace said his team's focus this weekend will be to value the ball more.

"We want to ensure what possession we do have we capitalise on our scoring opportunities and to continue to make sure that we protect it when needing to recycle effectively.

"When we don't have possession looking at ways that we can turn our offensive defence into ball security, being able to take possession through strong defence and through correct defensive practices. By contesting the breakdown more and looking at opportunities where we can force errors of the opposition," Grace said.

"Last weekend we lost a lot of point scoring opportunities. It is turning possession into points, we played ourselves out of the game through not placing enough value on the ball and converting those point scoring opportunities when they are presented to us."

Poroporo coach Ed Maui said his side's focus this week with training and into Saturday will be "working on our ability to hold onto the ball for a good amount of time so we can create some pressure on their defence".

"After coming off a bye hopefully our guys will be refreshed and the niggly little injuries are sorted as they were mounting up," he said.

"Our away record isn't too flash so we will be looking to rectify that this weekend although Ngongotaha will be a tough opposition and won't be in a good mood after their close loss in the weekend."

Maui highlighted how tight the competition is.

"The top of the ladder is a log jam so we now need to try and solidify our position in the top four so we can test ourselves at the next level which is our goal."

Baywide Division One games, Saturday:
Ngongotaha v Poroporo at Ngongotaha Domain
Kahukura v Waikite at Kuirau Park
Te Teko v Ruatoki at Dunderdale Park
Marist St Michael's v Judea at Marist Park
Papamoa v Rangiuru at Gordon Spratt
Katikati Bye
All games kick off 2.45pm