More top players needed to secure cup's future

Home team Rangitikei have a one-in-four chance of winning the Savile Cup when the national tournament starts at Pukemarama Farm tomorrow.

They are one of only four clubs playing in the top Savile section on the polo grounds at Tangimoana.

The others are Kihikihi (Waikato), Port Hills (Christchurch) and central Hawke's Bay club Wanstead.

Rangitikei's Ian McKelvie said the tournament badly needed the best players in future to ensure the long-term future of the cup, one of New Zealand's oldest sporting trophies.

New Zealand played England and won 11-7 at Kihikihi two weeks ago. However, none of the New Zealand players from that clash will be at Tangimoana.

The best of them, Cambridge's John Paul Clarkin, is playing overseas. Clubmate Simon Keyte is injured, as is Waimai's Tommy Wilson, and brother Craig is overseas. That takes out two potential Savile sides, and Waimai were last year's champions.

Rangitikei will again field a solid side, with England-based professional Angus McKelvie (five-goal handicap) back with brother Cameron (4), New Zealand Colt Glenn Sherriff (3) and Garry Vickers (4), a former club member who now lives in Cambridge.

Teams are restricted to a combined handicap of 16, so there was no room for Englishman Will Lucas (6). He will play for Port Hills against Rangitikei at 3pm tomorrow. With him will be fellow Englishman Davy Allen, Guy Higginson (son of All Black Graeme) and Matt O'Sullivan.

Rangitikei lost the 2008 final to Kihikihi at Tangimoana and last won the cup in 2004, for only the fifth time in the club's 120-year history.

Rangitikei will field four teams at the tournament, which finishes on Sunday.

The other Rangitikei teams:

6-goal Wilson Cup team: Ben McKelvie, Campbell Davis, James Rome, Nathan Schimanski. 3-goal Riddiford & Levin Cup team: Douglas Duncan, Sam Duncan, Mark Duncan, Olly Powell. 0-goal McKenzie Salver team: Harriet James, David Bird, Stephen Beatson, Lottie Lammercraft.

- © Fairfax NZ News