East Coast chasing three wins from three

By RICHARD BOOCK

It might only have been last year, but East Coast's fairytale rise to the top of the second division is starting to feel like a distant memory for coach Joe McClutchie and his players.

The side who captured the heart of the nation during their march to last season's final have found themselves at the opposite end of the competition ladder after five rounds this winter, only one win clear of bottom-placed Thames Valley.

Having lost three out of their four outings so far, including a 19-10 loss to Nelson Bays last week, East Coast need to win all three remaining matches to have any chance of making the semifinals, beginning with today's game against Counties-Manukau at Pukekohe.

Their remaining matches are against Mid-Canterbury in Ashburton and against Hawkes Bay at home.

"We're not quite sure what went wrong at the start - just a few misfiring combinations, an injury here or there and possibly a problem with focus," manager Val Morrison said yesterday.

"It hasn't been doom and gloom all the time - if we'd taken our chances we could have won most of the games so far, including the big loss against Marlborough.

"The players know that and are keen to make amends this weekend, because they realise how tenuous their position on the ladder is."

Morrison said it was the players who first mentioned the looming possibility of relegation, following last week's loss to Nelson-Bays.

"They're awake to the dangers and determined to turn the season around. The difference in intensity this week has been quite noticeable, and that's been encouraging for all of us.

"We don't believe the fairytale's over. The excellent work done last year can still be built on and everyone's looking forward to the rest of the season.

"Counties will be tough, but there were no easy games last season when we were winning, so there was never going to be any free lunches this time around."

Already without injured captain Wirihana Raihania, East Coast will also be missing fullback Doone Harrison and midfield back Tyrone Delamere and have a question mark over back-up hooker Gordon Hinaki.

Counties also have injury concerns over second five-eighths Niva Ta'auso (shoulder) and flanker Wayne McEntee (finger), but are much more comfortably placed in terms of the semifinals. Beaten 51-20 last week by Hawkes Bay, Counties sit in third place on the ladder, behind the Bay and Manawatu.

After the East Coast showdown, Bruce Robertson's side are favoured to beat Marlborough and Mid-Canterbury, which could allow them to pip Manawatu - who still face Hawkes Bay next week and Nelson Bays after that.

In other second division games this weekend, Hawke's Bay are expected to beat Mid-Canterbury in Ashburton, there could be a close scrap between Marlborough and Nelson Bays in Nelson, and Manawatu should prove too strong for Thames Valley in Palmerston North.

In the third division, North Otago host Wanganui, Horowhenua-Kapiti face Buller at Levin and Poverty Bay host South Canterbury, while Wairarapa-Bush play West Coast at Masterton. King Country have the bye.