Rugby: Breen has high hopes for 100th game

Dunedin fullback Tim Cossens arrives too late to prevent University A winger Gavin Stark touching down in the corner at the University Oval on Saturday. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
Dunedin fullback Tim Cossens arrives too late to prevent University A winger Gavin Stark touching down in the corner at the University Oval on Saturday. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
While it is ''Old Members' Day'' at the Southern club tomorrow, a short hop away, Alhambra Union first five-eighth Peter Breen will celebrate his 100th game for the club.

At 26, Breen is far from an ''old member'' but he has certainly built up his playing resume.

He got his start for Zingari-Richmond and played two seasons for the club before transferring to Alhambra-Union in 2009.

''It has been fantastic. The club is full of great people,'' he said.

The team, though, finds itself in the lower reaches of the competition this season with just four wins.

But it has an opportunity to add a win to the column against Dunedin at Kettle Park.

''It is going to be a pretty good day at Shark Park,'' Breen said in reference to his 100th game. But considering the Sharks were smashed 60-8 by University A last weekend, a double celebration might be in the offing.

Alhambra-Union was upset by Pirates 26-16 at Hancock Park but Breen, who has played 36 games for Otago and appears poised to lead the province around the field again this season, felt his side made a lot of the play.

He showed his class with a clever cross kick for Henry Schikker.

The pacey winger gathered in the ball and set off for the try line. Pirates managed to scramble and Breen's wonderful touch went unrewarded.

Breen is a personal trainer and his other claim to fame is he helped the championship-winning Goldrush to get up to speed.

His partner, Janet Main, plays point guard for the Goldrush.

''They have been great and just awesome to train,'' he said.

While there will be interest in how Alhambra-Union goes, the big game shapes as the Southern-University A clash at Bathgate Park.

It is for the Cavanagh Trophy and Southern has an ''Old Members' Day'' planned, which will celebrate Alan Stevens' glorious coaching run from 1967 to 1975.

He led the club to three titles (1969, 1972 and 1975) during his nine-year stint.

Former All Blacks Laurie Mains, Gary Seear and Lindsay Clark, broadcaster Murray Deaker and former Otago coach Lee Smith have confirmed their attendance.

Southern chairman Blair Crawford said the formalities would begin at 12.30pm with the president's welcome, followed by lunch and speeches before watching the game at 2.45pm and joining in the after-match function.

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