Unbeaten teams hoping to remain that way

Excelsior No 8 Samuela Babiau scores a try as Marist defender Ian He-ofa is too late in a match...
Excelsior No 8 Samuela Babiau scores a try as Marist defender Ian He-ofa is too late in a match in Oamaru last Saturday. Celebrating is Mosese Aho. PHOTO: PHIL JANSSEN
Old Boys, Maheno and Excelsior will have opportunities to remain unbeaten in the second round of Citizens Shield rugby tomorrow.

Old Boys take on Athletic-Marist and will be expected to win.

With several of its players affected by shiftwork, combinations may take a little time to gel for the Marist club.

At fullback, Simon Lillicama is a dangerous attacker with his pace, while at first five-eighth Mason Kinzett has the potential to develop.

At Kurow, the home side lines up against Maheno, a side which kept last season's champion, Valley, scoreless on opening day.

Josh Clark and Robbie Smith are the key for Maheno but with developing confidence Kurow has caused upsets before. Beware Maheno.

Excelsior won its first game last season when it came from five points behind at halftime to beat Valley 39-32, scoring six tries to two. It will repeat that win tomorrow

Excelsior first five-eighth Thomas Moysey, who hails from Australia, scored a try, seven conversions and three penalties in his side's big win last week. Moysey ran the backline intelligently creating space for his outsides, especially centre Taina Tamou, a recruit from the Athletic Marist club.

Fullback Hamish Slater, who made his first-class debut last season, made full use of the spaces created by Tamou.

But the Valley coaching duo, Shane Carter and Mike Mavor, have proven experience and ability, and on the Weston main ground will be out to lift the blue and golds.

 - Terry O'Neill 

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