Maheno hit by injuries

Josh Clark
Josh Clark
Maheno might be in a tricky spot right now, but relief is on the way.

The team is dealing with a few injury setbacks. But if it can get through the next couple of weeks then the 2016 champion should be in a better position to press for the title.

Former Pirates and Green Island lock-cum-loose forward Josh Clark is plying his trade with the club this season.

He commutes from Dunedin and is doubling up as the forwards coach.

Clark has played 31 games for North Otago, but is on Maheno's injury list. He sprained his ankle two weeks ago against Valley and faces two more weeks

out. Captain and loose forward Hayden Tisdall is also injured and star halfback Robbie Smith is on his honeymoon.

"We got a few players out," Clark acknowledged.

"This whole second round [is a challenge]. But if we can beat Kurow this week and Athies we'll be happy with that.

"We should have everyone back on track for the third round."

Maheno is fourth with four wins and three losses. The team hosts Kurow this weekend in an all-country clash.

"They are behind us so if they can tip us up and look to get a couple of other scalps through the season, they could be our competition [for the fourth playoff spot].

Maheno installed lights last year and Clark said they were a huge asset.

With club rugby struggling for numbers and people wanting free weekends, the capacity to host midweek night games has helped future-proof the club.

"Every long weekend we've managed to play a Friday night game or a Thursday night game and it frees up everything else.

"Unfortunately we weren't able to do that for duck-shooting and we lost a lot of players that weekend. We ended up playing on Saturday and struggled for a team. If we had played a night game, we would have had good numbers.

"I do think it is the way to go. Even around Dunedin they need to do something like that too."

 

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