Charlie Brown looks to slice through the defence in the Mid Canterbury Combined 1st XV’s pre-season clash on Saturday. Photo Heathermack PhotographyIt may have only been a pre-season hit-out, but there were plenty of smiles around Ashburton College on Saturday afternoon following a comprehensive victory for the Mid Canterbury Combined 1st XV.

Playing against a Timaru Boys’ High School Second XV, the Mid Canterbury lads put together a polished performance, ticking off all the objectives that had been laid down by head coach Shane Enright.

“I was really pleased with how they went,” he said.

“It was a good solid hit-out and although only Timaru’s second XV they were a good side and put some pressure on us.”

As with any pre-season fixture, the list of goals for the match were laid out pretty simply prior to kick-off and Enright said that building on combinations and getting some game time under the belt was the main objective this week.

“We did what we needed to do well.

“They are a pretty young side with a number of guys having their first season out of Under 16, but they put together some nice play and scored some nice tries out wide which was nice to watch.”

Getting some confidence into his players and leaving them feeling buoyant after a good run around the paddock was critical as they challenge laid down this week is a monstrous one.

The combined side won the fixture 38-17.

The side heads to Nelson on Friday to take on defending UC Championship and South Island 1st XV champions Nelson College in a big first-up clash.

“I’d rather we played them now, than down the line once they’ve got into the swing of things.

“By the sounds of it they had a tough time of it in their pre-season game on Saturday, so getting them first-up might just be the best thing for us – it’ll give us plenty of build on anyway.”

Enright said that Michael Hennings, who joined the side from Suva this year, suffered a knee injury in the match on Saturday which would require some physio this week, but other than that injury the remainder of his side had emerged from the match unscathed.

By Matt Markham © The Ashburton Guardian - 15 June 2020