Taihape one win from trophy

TICKING CLOCK: If Pirates centre Patrick Hiscox and his team are going to get back into form they need to close out the first round with a solid hit-out against form team Taihape tomorrow. PHOTO/FILE

IT'S A PIECE of history PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape could have only dreamed about two or three seasons ago, but the undefeated Tasman Tanning Premier competition leaders have a chance to claim 2016's first silverware in perfect fashion tomorrow.

No premier team in six years has lifted the Paul Mitchell Cup as first round winners on the back of a 100 per cent winning record - the last team to go close was the undefeated McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu, who still had a draw in their 2013 run against Taihape's opponents tomorrow, Black Bull Liquor Pirates.

But after a less-than impressive 22-12 victory against winless Harvey Round Motors Ratana in the Pa last week, Taihape will have to be wary for their home game at Memorial Park.

Since that time, Taihape under Kerry Whale have racheted up a couple of cogs, while Phillip Morris' Pirates have struggled out of the gate this year, but are slowly introducing new prospects from out of town, namely fullback acquisition Tupu Tavae who hit the ground running with two tries in the 35-14 win over Utiku Old Boys last weekend.

Defending the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield, Taihape won't have their inspirational No8 Tremaine Gilbert, who is in Dunedin on work commitments.

However, while they do not get the same press as other loose forwards around the catchment, Taihape's Timi Teepa, Dylan Maloney and Hamish Bennett are more than capable of carrying the can.

It has been noticeable this season how the top four sides have a real confidence to use the width of the park, which has the outcome of highlighting some real talent on the wings.

While Pirates have been behind that 8-ball, winger Clive Stowers still picked up a hat-trick last weekend and is desperate to get his name back up there in Heartland representative contention, so the pace battle with Taylor Transon and Glenn Horton will be interesting tomorrow.

If Taihape do falter, then either Waverley Harvesting Border or Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau will be more than willing to step forward and claim the Paul Mitchell and its $500 Breakers' Bar voucher when they meet in the other big clash at the Country Club.

The Premier match highlights a day of activities at the ground which will start with the official opening of the new Kaierau rugby/Rivercity boxing training complex in the morning.

This will be Kaierau's true litmus test to see if they are just the clear third-placed team or genuine title contenders, after they lost their opening game with Taihape at home but then went on a five-match winning streak.

No question, Kaierau showed a ton of character, a facet which has eluded them in recent seasons, by staying composed and hanging on to beat Ruapehu 36-33 last Saturday.

It gives coach Denis Edwards a rare quandary of having too many form players in the backline, given room has to be made for returning Areta Lama and Kameli Kuruyabaki, yet Dion Hyland, Ethan Robinson and out-of-position Anare Saurara performed so admirably at Rochfort Park.

Border have had an extra day's gap after the annual Friday night fixture, which will hopefully help injured veteran No8 Ray Stark to get back on the park.

While his boot was a little inaccurate under the lights, fullback Nick Harding is still head and shoulders above the rest on both the goal kicking and overall points scorers list.

Expect the season's top tryscorer in centre Kaveni Dabenaise to be more involved tomorrow than he was in the darkness at Dallison Park.

In the other matches, Ratana will want to use their game effort against Taihape as a boost when they host Ruapehu at the Pa, despite the visitors starting to look like they may be getting back on track.

Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist will need a solid performance in their home game against Utiku Old Boys at Spriggens Park.

All premier and senior teams will be on a break next weekend.