Patience first, points second
By WALT DICKSON
No team likes to lose, specially when you are wearing the mantle of defending champions.
But Marist’s 29-24 win over Greytown last weekend could be just what the doctor ordered for the red, yellow and blacks.
Greytown coach Eli Telford would have been spitting tacks at his chargers inability to close out the match. After all, they were up 24-17 midway through the second half and had the conditions in their favour.
It wasn’t so much the dumb decision making in the final quarter that cost them, instead a lack of patience. That is something that Telford will be drilling into his players during the week as they look to get even with Marist on Saturday in the Tui Cup semi-final.
“We will only win if we are patient and hold on to the ball,” Telford says.
“Last weekend we weren’t patient enough and instead of building phases we were trying to force things a bit . . . that’s probably what cost us in the end.”
It certainly did. Even at 24-all Greytown had the chance to seal the match when centre Glen Walters went close to scoring. Scrambling Marist defence saved the day and from Pua Tafa’s big clearing kick Greytown were anxious to launch a counter-attack throwing a loose pass from a quick row-in. Marist flier Fereti Soloa read it perfectly gathering in an intercept to race away for the winning five pointer.
In the context of the season there was no harm done with Greytown doing enough to earn a bonus point and claim the home advantage for the re-match.
But Soloa’s run-away try – his second try of the match – would have struck enough of a psychological blow to give Marist plenty of confidence ahead of this Saturday.
They set the tempo in the first half and looked the better side. Telford was pleased with how his men responded in the second.
“For us this weekend, starting well is important, we didn’t do that the other day.”
Telford reckons both sides are pretty evenly matched, if anything he gives his the edge around the loose forward trio.
Although Greytown have not lost at home this year Telford doesn’t believe that playing at home will be any advantage.
“Its whether we front up mentally that will be the difference and that is the big thing I am asking for from my guys. It’s been a bit of a problem this season – we have coached them all year, done this game plan over and over, now it is up to them to execute it.”
DRAW:
(Tui Cup)
Carterton vs Gladstone , @Carterton
Greytown vs Marist, @Greytown
(Hodder-Seffert Cup)
Eketahuna vs Martinborough, @Eketahuna
Pioneer vs East Coast, @Jean Street
(Reserves Top 6)
Pioneer v Marist, @Jean Street
Tuhirangi v Masterton Red Star , @Pirinoa
(Bottom 6)
Puketoi v East Coast, @Pongaroa
Pioneer Old Boys v Featherston @TrustHouse Memorial Park
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