Rugby: Scotsman's skill kicking in for Taradale

POINTS MACHINE: Gregor McNeish has scored 89 points in seven games for Taradale. PHOTO/Paul Taylor

IT'S HARD to believe Taradale's Scottish first five-eighth Gregor McNeish was his club's third-string goalkicker back home.

In seven games for Carters Frame and Truss Taradale, McNeish has kicked 15 conversions, 16 penalties and two dropped goals. Throw in his try and his season points tally to date is 89.

"I'm pretty happy with how my goalkicking is going here because I didn't do too much with the Heriots club. We had a typical British scrumhalf [Graham Wilson] who was pretty handy with the boot and I was the back-up to his deputy," McNeish recalled.

The former Scotland Clubs 1st XV representative, who played against England Counties and was on the bench for a match against an Ireland XV, is enjoying the free-flowing style of rugby played in Hawke's Bay's club competition, so much so he is likely to return to Taradale after a stint with the Hong Kong Scottish club.

"Rugby is a lot different over here, a lot more open. The players over here have a lot more skills which makes it more enjoyable for the spectators and the players ... obviously the weather has a lot to do with it. I'll finish in Hong Kong in February so that will suit perfectly in terms of another season with Taradale," McNeish said.

Irishman John Semple, who had a season with Taradale in 2013, plays fullback for Heriots and recommended to McNeish that he have a crack with the Tareha Reserve-based club.

"I always wanted to have a taste of the New Zealand style. John told me Taradale was a good club in a good place and I've got no regrets about coming," said 24-year-old McNeish.

He arrived at Taradale on a high after Heriots completed a national league-national cup double in Scotland. McNeish is rapt with the coaching he is receiving at the Taradale club, particularly from assistant coach Dan Waenga.

"Dan has played at a high level. He is also guiding me well with my goalkicking along with James Humphrey."

A physical education teacher, McNeish is helping with coaching at Taradale as well as age group rugby around the province. Both of his parents are physical education teachers, father Terry is also a former national volleyball coach and mother Brigette is a former national hockey rep.

McNeish is thrilled with Taradale's five wins in the Maddison Trophy comp to date. He expects a tough encounter against Northfuels Central in Waipukurau today.

"They have got their tails up, it's the second anniversary of the death of their former loosie Robbie Barr and they're at home."

McNeish is eagerly awaiting Taradale's final round robin game against Napier Old Boys Marist.

"They are the favourites. We had some key players out last time we played them but if we're at full strength we will challenge them.

"We're finding our stride and talking from experience I know semifinals and finals are won by the form teams on the day," McNeish said, referring to Heriots' victory in the Scottish national league after qualifying fourth for the semifinals.

He ranked Taradale's former Hurricanes halfback, Chris Eaton, as the best No9 he has played outside and MAC and Magpies utility back Lewis Marshall as the best player he has seen in the Bay's club comp.

"My Taradale teammates, Uta Tupuola and Billy Ropiha, aren't too far behind Lewis either," McNeish added.

While Central will be tough, Taradale should head home with a nine-point win. Another close clash is expected when top-of-the-table HBI Insurances Napier Old Boys Marist host Progressive Meats Havelock North in a Challenge Shield match at Park Island.

The villagers were the only team to beat NOBM during the Nash Cup round and are capable of getting within seven today. The rapidly improving Ansin & Montieth Hastings Rugby and Sports side should beat Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical by 11 at Whitmore Park.

Former All Black Zac Guildford won't be playing for Tech as his international clearance has yet to be ticked off by Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union's club development officer, Gary Macdonald. Defending champions Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports should pip K9 Petfoods Clive by seven at Tamatea Park.

Tamatea will chase their first win in 59 outings when they host the other winless side in the Maddison comp, MAC, at Bill Mathewson Park. Although the visitors have struggled big-time since finishing second in the Maddison comp they should sneak in by three.