Blues vying for first title since 1997

• Published date: 26 May 2023
• Publication title: Sports Tab

The North Otago club has been resurgent, winning four of its six games, and finds itself sitting second in the Citizens Shield standings

It is a remarkable turnaround for the team that has struggled for numbers and form in recent years, often being dealt the wooden spoon.

Not this year — Blues are challenging for their first title since 1997.

They showed they could produce big wins, beating Kurow 38-13 and Maheno 34-19, and ground out the tight ones, edging Athletic Marist 20-15 and Old Boys 26-22.

Top of the table Valley has been their only stumbling block, falling 27-13 in the opening round and, again, 35-17 last week.

Both games showed the importance of combinations, with Blues having more than 15 players making their premier debuts this season.

An influx of Pacific Island players have joined the club this year and have joined new head coach Dan Keno, who is back at the helm after a couple of seasons off.

‘‘We’re certainly tracking better than what I expected.

‘‘There’s a lot of talent, for sure, but actually pulling it together on the field is always the biggest challenge.

‘‘They’ve certainly risen to the occasion and are performing well,’’ Keno said.

First five Josh Phipps (58) leads the competition for points, while utility back Matia Qiolevu (6) is tied with Valley’s Sam Sturgess as the top try scorer.

Qiolevu has been an ‘‘exciting prospect’’ in his debut season, while Englishman Phipps — who arrived in Oamaru during lockdown in 2020 — has battled away at the club for three years and was now reaping the rewards with points.

Much of the talk has been about the new...