Big hitters set Cup pace with wins

CAN'T CATCH ME: East Coast winger Utah Walker bound for the tryline.

Three teams remained unbeaten when the second series of matches in the Kapene Cup premier division rugby competition drew to a close in Wairarapa-Bush on Saturday.

Pioneer, Greytown and Eketahuna all made it two from two while Gladstone opened their account with a hard-fought victory over Marist.

Nine tries were scored in Pioneer's 38-18 win over East Coast at the Jeans Street ground in Masterton with both teams entertaining a good-sized crowd with their intent to move the ball wide at every opportunity.

There were times when simple handling errors and poor decision-making brought an abrupt end to promising attacks but those were well countered by the many occasions where the ball went through five or six phases before tries were either scored or came close to being scored.

The battle for forward supremacy was an interesting one with honours about even. Pioneer might have had a slight advantage in the loose through the impressive input of flanker Rima Mururai and No8 Lee Ewe, Mururai with the soundness of his close quarter defence and equally close support of the ball carrier and Ewe with his power on the burst, especially in broken play situations. Karl Thompson, too, was always a threat with ball in hand.

In the tighter aspects of the forward game, however, East Coast more than held their own, thanks to the likes of front-rowers Hayden Kerr and Terry Norman and the ever-reliable Joe Feast, who took down more than his share of lineout ball.

It was in the backs where Pioneer had the edge in pace and skill, not surprisingly considering East Coast were missing the likes of Nick Olson and Zeb Aporo. Joseph Thompson, who made such a big impact at halfback last season, demonstrated his versatility by having a tidy game for Pioneer in the five-eighths and Damien Kamo-Paku and Sean Robinson both showed a good mix of speed and nifty footwork. Clearly the pick of the East Coast rearguard was midfielder Byron Karaitaina, who pulled off a couple of try-saving tackles and ran hard on attack.

Nikora Ewe, Damien Kamo-Paku (2), Jimbo Ratapu, Karl Thompson and Andre Robinson scored tries for Pioneer and Joseph Thompson kicked four conversions. Kerr, Utah Walker and Regan Frew were the East Coast try scorers and Karaitiana kicked one penalty.

Greytown scored a comfortable 33-0 win over Carterton, although the latter probably gave the defending Kapene Cup and Tui Cup champions a harder match than most pundits predicted. Gareth van Dalen scored two tries for Greytown with others going to Tavita Isaac and Regan Pope.

Greytown were also awarded a penalty try and King Kaiwai kicked four conversions.

The clash between Eketahuna and Martinborough at Martinborough was billed as the match of the day and it provided a close contest with Eketahuna coming out on top 19-9 and scoring three tries to none in the process. Dan Wright, Paul Tikomainavalu and Tom Meuli were their try-scorers and Meuli also added two conversions. Tipnene Haira kicked three penalties for Martinborough.

Gladstone were kept honest by Marist in their clash at Memorial Park with Marist actually looking the better of the two teams through most of the first half.

The second spell was a different story, however, with Gladstone upping the ante and eventually taking the honours 27-19. Nick Griffin and Inia Katia both scored a brace of tries for Gladstone and Andrew Frew kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Rhys Severn, Lawrence Titter and Malatai Malatai scored tries for Marist and Pua Tafa kicked two conversions.

Senior reserve results: Greytown 22, Bush Sports 14; Marist 43, Gladstone 5; Pioneer 36, East Coast 12; Martinborough 39, Eketahuna 20.

Bush Colts beat Massey 17-12 in a Manawatu colts competition match.