Crescent and Clutha head to clash

All eyes are on Kaitangata for the match of the round tomorrow between Crescent and Clutha.

Both teams are unbeaten and have maximum points from the first three games. This rivalry spans back generations and many hardcore family names are still associated with the teams.

Three trophies are at stake: the McIntosh Cup, Speight's Jug and the Centennial Cup.

Crescent looks to be the favourite heading into the clash.

The team has the confidence that comes from coming off a big win against Owaka last time out and the week before that, it toppled the more fancied Lawrence side up-country.

Clutha showed its depth last week, coming from behind to beat a gutsy Toko outfit.

Both sides boast mobile forward packs and very rapid backlines.

Clutha and Otago Country stalwart Rhys Harrold is leading the Clutha side around the field expertly again this season. His battle with young Crescent pivot Jackson Cook will be intriguing.

Cook has stepped into the shoes of injured skipper Harley McHardy and has done an admirable job thus far. He is running the ball with confidence and his kicking game is on point.

The loose forward battle shapes up to be just that. The Crescent trio of Cohen Tuhou, Andrew Carruthers and Nick McBride is up against Clutha's Max Pennell, Kurt Turnbull and Kerrod Baldwin. Tuhou and Turnbull are their sides' best at ruck time.

Both coaches are up for this game and neither wants to take the favourite tag. Crescent upset Clutha in the first round last season and will have a big belief it can do it again.

- Francis Parker

 

 

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