Seddon Shield target for young Red Devils

One hundred trialists have been narrowed down to just 20 players who have been selected to represent Marlborough at the annual under-52kg Seddon Shields rugby tournament, which begins in Greymouth tomorrow.

The event, widely-acknowledged as the country’s longest-running rugby tournament, starts on Monday, with the Marlborough side drawing a bye on day one. From there they face a full-on schedule, playing Buller on Tuesday, home side West Coast on Wednesday, Golden Bay Motueka on Thursday and arch-rivals Nelson on Friday, July 15.

The Marlborough contingent come from nine different schools and include two players from Kaikoura, one from St Joseph's Primary School and the other from Kaikoura High School.

Team coach Paddy Dowling was thrilled with the number of trialists and the skills on display in the trial.

“It was great to see loads of willing players wanting to be a part of Marlborough rugby history,” he said.

“We have the same coaching and management team this year which adds to the knowledge of what to expect and how to prepare the team for the tournament.

“We also have seven players returning for a second year which has helped stability and set the high standards needed to compete in the tournament this year.”

Last year Marlborough shared the overall tournament honours with Nelson.

The Marlborough team is: Ahurei Devon-James (Bohally Intermediate), Oliver Cody (Bohally Intermediate), Fionn Heagney (Bohally Intermediate), Viliami Manoa (Bohally Intermediate), Jono Planthaber (Fairhall Primary School), Sam Johnston (Kaikoura High School), Zephur Dollimore (Redwoodtown Primary School), Kymani Tikotiko-Lal (Renwick Primary School), Lukas Dowling (St Mary’s Primary School), James Litchfield (Seddon Primary School), Tyrone Langi (Bohally Intermediate School), Connor Claridge (St Joseph’s Primary School, Kaikoura), Liam Cohen (Bohally Intermediate School), Cooper Paulo (Bohally Intermediate School), Izac McLeod (Bohally Intermediate School), Josh Harris (Bohally Intermediate School), Jack Wickens (Redwoodtown Primary School), Zavier McDonald (Queen Charlotte College), Jade Joseph (Bohally Intermediate School), Louis Hickman (Ward Primary School). Coaches Paddy Dowling and Glenn Blackmore. Manager Kieran Hickman.

Cooper Paulo, Josh Harris, Lukas Dowling, Viliami Manoa, Tyrone Langi, James Litchfield and Ahurei Devon-James are the players returning from the previous year’s tournament, which was staged in Westport.