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Second takes on third in the Counties Power Game of the Week between Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s and Bombay Lincoln Farms in the Under 85kg competition at 1:00pm at Bruce Pulman Park on Saturday.

The last time these two sides met was back in April, with Bombay Lincoln Farms coming away with a 23-11 victory on the hill.

Bombay player/coach Simon Adams is happy with where his side are at, at this point in the season.

“We are starting to gel a bit better now which is great and we are getting a few more guys to training as well. We’re happy to be sitting in second place, can’t ask for too much more really.”

Adams is expecting the same tough battle when his side face off with Ardmore Marist this weekend.

“We are pretty evenly matched, our scores have been very even and they have been winning by the same kind of margins as us. It will be another hard game. We have a few guys away this week through other commitments, so that could be a bit of an issue, but hopefully we will work around that.”

Adams said their winger Kees Van Lieshout has been going really well for them this season and their number eight Richie Farrell is back after missing the start of the season. Farrell’s come back into the squad and added an extra bit of experience.

Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s player/coach Leighton Morehu said his side came through their close 13-10 win over Karaka relatively unscathed.

“It was a really tight match and a great battle. I managed to play most of it, so it was a good test to see where we are at. It really could have gone either way, but we got the rub of the green so to speak. I think we could improve a bit around the forwards.”

Morehu, who plays loose forward, said his side have a few injuries at the moment so he’s playing a bit more rugby. But he is wary of his opposition coach Simon Adams.

“We are expecting a close encounter against Bombay. Their forwards are quite dominant and they also have fast backs. Player/coach Simon Adams is the key man to watch out for. He’s quite elusive and I’ve told my boys to watch out for him whether he comes on or starts.”

Ardmore Marist are aiming to pick up the second semi-final spot, with Patumahoe well clear at the top of the Under 85kg standings. Morehu said he’s got some dangerous players in his backline.

“We are quite lucky in the sense that one of our old boys, midfielder Dylan Chatterton has returned and he is set to play his third game of the season this week. He brings some more experience with him. Brandon Fonoimoana is great as well, he’s an elusive runner and through broken play he can be dangerous.”

Special mention to Jordan Brown, who will play his blazer game this weekend if he passes an intensive fitness test later in the week.

Get to Bruce Pulman Park CM 1 at 1:00pm on Saturday to check out the Counties Power Game of the Week between Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s and Bombay Lincoln Farms in their Under 85kg fixture. 

Photo Credit: Richard Spranger