Senior reaches coveted milestone

1.00pm

Marlborough halfback Aaron Senior will become the 21st player to play 100 matches for the province in their vital NPC second division rugby match against North Otago here tomorrow.

Having made his debut in 1992 against Canterbury Country, Senior will become the first player since Mathew Kerr in 1999 to reach the milestone.

Senior admitted he was feeling a few extra nerves leading into the game.

Marlborough selector/coach Dennis Brown has made just one change to the team who thrashed Thames Valley 56-21 last week, with George Love coming in on the openside flank for Blair Baxter.

Another Marlborough victory will keep their semifinal hopes alive despite a final round bye next week.

North Otago are currently fourth, two points behind Marlborough, and need just one win from either this game or next week against East Coast in Ruatoria to make the playoffs.

If North Otago slip up in both their remaining matches, Marlborough will progress to the semifinals for the first time since 1998.

Marlborough team: Martin Campbell, Sam Gibbons, Aaron Bancroft, Nathan Peipi, Ono Levu Temo, Sam Howe, Aaron Senior, Laurie McGlone (captain), George Love, Ross Love, Eroni Naua, Stu Campbell, Tristan Moran, Mark Stewart, Dane Taingahue. Reserves: David Evans, Bevan Johnson, Johnny Ryan, Blair Baxter, Andrew Large, Gray Cornelius, Barry Ria.

- NZPA

* Check nzherald.co.nz/rugby for match results and reports this weekend

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