The feature game in round five of the Southland premier competition tomorrow is between Midlands and Woodlands at Centennial Park in Winton.
Midlands will be playing in memory of Ross McKerchar who died last weekend, aged 60.
McKerchar was a life member of the Midlands club and father of recent Midlands senior players Ben and Scott. Ross was a past president and friend to everyone at the club.
The young Midlands side, which has come up this year from the division one competition, put in a good performance last week against Marist. It lost 49-26 but was far from disgraced and had some good patches.
Woodlands will also be seeking to bounce back after losing its past two games. The defending champion will have to do it without first five-eighth Marty McKenzie who was knocked out during last week’s 27-0 loss to Pirates Old Boys.
Blues will host Marist at Balmoral Dr. It will be a big day for Blues as it is the club’s junior club day with its 10 primary school teams playing in the morning, followed by four senior games in the afternoon.
The women’s team and senior B teams play against Marist teams at 1.30pm. The senior presidents team plays POB on field two while the premier game is on at 3pm.
Utility Daniel Townson will play his 250th game for Blues on Saturday and flanker Sam Winsloe is primed for his 100th game.
A key match-up in this game is between Blues No8 Arese Poliko and Marist loose forward Liam Udy-Johns. Both men are keen to feature for the Stags this year.
The Eastern Northern Barbarians have a good chance of beating Star at the Gore Showgrounds. Star will be without key forward leader Jordan Stewart, who also had a head knock last weekend.
Pirates Old Boys has the bye.
In the division one competition, Edendale has its club day at Pioneer Park. The seventh game on the day is the senior side of the club taking on Albion. Five minutes down the road fellow eastern Southland clubs Wyndham and Mataura do battle.
In the division two competition, utility back Gareth Paul will play his 150th game for DLS at Limehills tomorrow against Riverton.
- John Langford
