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Wellsford Rugby was in the mood to celebrate on Saturday May 18 – not only was it Stu Oldfield’s 300th game (see below), the premiers trounced Horahora 55-28.
After the game, coach Ross Neal said that with five rounds left in the round robin competition, Wellsford was a strong contender to finish in the top four.
“With the teams we’re facing in the final rounds, we think we’ll be in a good position to make a strong run home,” he said.
Neal was head coach in 2015 when the club won the Northland premiership.
“We’ve got a mobile forward pack with some good attacking players in the backs. We’ve scored some great tries when we’ve got the ball out wide.”
Neal says injuries, particularly among players in key positions, have tested the team’s resources.
Nonetheless, Wellsford is also well represented in Northland rep sides – half back Jayden Kemp, 23, has joined Liam Hallam-Eames and Jordan Trainor in the Northland squad, and fullback Shaye Te Haara and centre Kingi Herewini are in the Northland development squad.
Neal says Wellsford prides itself on its strong club culture.
“If you’ve got good club culture and team camaraderie, then the boys play for each other and that delivers good results.”
However, like many clubs, declining numbers meant Wellsford didn’t field a reserve team this year. Neal says player numbers ebb and flow, and he doesn’t see this as a long-term trend, particularly given the good numbers in junior competitions.
Wellsford has 60 juniors playing in U7, U9 and U11 teams, as well as a good contingent of players in the Central Kaipara Whai catering for U13, U14 and U16 players.
Neal says recent events in Auckland have highlighted the need for an ever-greater focus on player welfare. He welcomed the introduction of blue cards, which take a player off the field if either the ref or club officials see something that might require an assessment.
Wellsford Rugby will hold a Quiz Night on June 15, starting at 7pm, to help raise money for a kitchen refurbishment project. There are still spaces available and the club is keen to hear from any generous businesses, which might be able to sponsor prizes. Contact Juanita Oldfield on 021 120 5339.
Wellsford rugby celebrates player’s milestone
It only took 22 years, but on Saturday, May 18, Stu Oldfield, 41, clocked up his 300th game of premier club rugby.
At a special celebration after Saturday’s win over Horahora, the Wellsford stalwart was thanked for his countless hours spent training, playing and coaching, both senior and junior teams. Over the years, he has played in most positions in the team including half-back, winger and now in the front row.
Club captain Ross Neal described Oldfield as “the heart and soul” of the club.
“His impact on Wellsford rugby over so many years has been immense,” Neal said.
“Even when he was young, he had leadership qualities and was someone that other players looked up to.”
In other tributes, Oldfield was thanked for his “relentless work ethic, sportsmanship and leadership, on and off the field, which have set a standard for what it means to be a true grass roots rugby player.”
One of the highlights of Oldfield’s career was playing in the Wellsford side that won the Northland Southern Districts premiership title in 2015.
