WEST COAST RFU – 2005

Season 2005	2005 Status: Third Division ....Founded 1890..Affiliated 1893 President: E.G.Wilson Chairman: W.A.Leach Chief.Executive.Officer: M.Connors Coach: A.D.Lawry Assistant Coach: P.B.Mac .Main.ground: .Rugby Park, Greymouth Capacity: .8,000 Colours: .Red and white hoops. red shorts. red socks with white tops

Despite losing every game and finishing at the bottom of the third division ladder West Coast were not outclassed by every team. Had the goal kicker been more accurate the game against Mid Canterbury should have been won. With eight minutes remaining West Coast were leading 10-9 thanks to two tries by inspiring number eight and captain Hadleigh Smith. Only late in the game did Mid Canterbury finally manage to cross the Coast try line. Coast also produced a good effort against Wairarapa Bush and in the Final game forced Thames Valley to dig deep for their narrow victory.

Recent representative five-eighth Anthony Lawry coached the team with Peter Mac and the regular team contained several experienced players. In addition to Hadleigh Smith the forwards included Peter Nicholls and former Buller and Canterbury representative Dougal Hurst. The backline included experienced players Luke Dixon, lowane Seru and Luke O’Donnell.

A promising newcomer was halfback James Ferguson while other new players to gain regular positions were fullback Gareth Caldwell, wing Craig McBeath, substitute halfback Jon Harrison, flanker Mitchell Sincock, lock Lomiga Va’ailua and hooker Jared Ward. Sincock was the team’s most consistent performer.

WEST COAST TEAM ‘NPC’ RECORD 2005

Played 7, Lost 7 ,Points for 79 ,Points against 237

THIRD DIVISION	P	W	D	L	Pts
Wairarapa Bush	7	6	–	1	31
Horowhenua-Kapiti	7	6	–	1	28
King Country	7	5	–	2	25
Buller	7	5	–	2	22
Mid-Canterbury	7	2	–	5	11
Thames Valley	7	2	–	5	10
South Canterbury	7	2	–	5	10
West Coast	7	–	–	7	–

 

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