Rugby: Lawrence, Heriot sides to look out for

Three rounds have been played in the South Otago Premier Rugby competition and only two teams remain unbeaten: Clutha and Crescent.

After last week's thriller at Lawrence, all teams will rest this weekend while duck-shooting takes over.

Clutha has maximum points after three rounds and at present looks the team to beat.

The forwards are steady but it is in the backs where Clutha is strong. Crescent dropped its first points last week when it earned a 13-all draw with Toko.

The two danger teams appear to be Lawrence and Heriot.

Lawrence has been in good form and should have won last Saturday, but the scoreboard beat it by one point.

The forwards are playing well, led by Mark Homer in the loose and Stu Young in the tight.

Lance Taylor has been in super form since moving to halfback one place further out, and he has impressed in all facets of the game.

His goal kicking has also been on target with 41 points from his three games. Sam Wyber was back to his best form last Saturday and the winger touched down for three tries, with some exciting running.

But it was not enough against a Heriot team that showed some of the form of last year, when it won the countrywide final.

Heriot has been a slow starter this season but the return of Aaron Kimaru and Sean Tauti in the next couple of weeks should lift the Heriot profile.

It also has exciting backs in Jordan Anderson and Mike McHutcheon. The latter will be remembered for the last try in the tight battle with Lawrence last week, when he went over by the corner flag.

The home side forgot to tackle him and he was allowed to run around and dot under the bar, to help the conversion to be kicked and give his side the win 45-44.

Bill Maiono came on only as a replacement last week and once he gets game time, Heriot will be a dangerous side. The Heriot pack is well led by Blair Young, James Edgar and Brad Lapthorne.

Clinton, Clutha Valley and Owaka are at the end of the table, but could surprise as the season progresses.

 

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