Unbeaten teams Bush Sports and Pioneer will feel the heat when matches in the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union's Kapene Cup premier division competition continue tomorrow.
Bush Sports have the difficult task of confronting what is sure to be a fired-up Martinborough at Pahiatua, while Pioneer can similarly expect no favours from Eketahuna in their fixture at the Jean St grounds in Masterton.
The fact a loss would virtually eliminate any chance they have of capturing the Kapene Cup, named after one of their most favoured sons, Chris "Moose" Kapene, should have Martinborough spitting tacks when they take the field at Pahiatua.
The green-and-blacks have suffered just the one loss this season - to Pioneer - and astute coach James Bruce will have noted with interest the struggles Bush Sports had against Carterton last weekend. After racing out to a 24-0 half-time lead, they allowed Carterton back into the game and there were just the five points between the two sides at the final whistle.
It could be that Martinborough's best chance of victory will come by playing an expansive style of rugby, giving full rein to the attacking abilities of a backline likely to include gifted runners such as Keiran te Whare, Greg Dennes, Eli Telford and new Wairarapa-Bush squad member Michael te Whare.
Bush Sports, for their part, may be tempted to rely more on their forwards to call the tune. The in-form loosie Hamish Walker was missing last weekend and he will give added oomph to a pack who, in Rangi Wolland and Sam Marshall-Wilson, have two of the best middle rowers in the competition and likewise skipper Jake Tipene when it comes to hooker.
Having what is sure to be a vocal home crowd behind them will be an assist to Bush Sports as well, perhaps enough to secure a win, albeit by a slender margin.
The form book says a Pioneer victory over Eketahuna should be nothing more than a walk in the park but, in reality, this too could be a close-fought affair.
Pioneer are at their best when playing the running game and those tactics will actually suit Eketahuna who, in Johan van Vliet and Rupene Temani, have two loose forwards with proven defensive qualities. Their whole objective will be to upset the rhythm of the Pioneer inside backs by constantly breathing down their necks and it will be fascinating to see how Pioneer respond to that challenge.
They should carry on their winning way but placing them in the "certainty" category might not be the wisest thing to do.
East Coast and Carterton will do battle at Whareama and, with a referee in Dean Goodin who usually allows games to flow, this has all the makings of a high-scoring encounter. Carterton will have taken confidence from their bold showing against Bush Sports last weekend but whether they have the defensive capabilities to restrict the pace and flair of the East Coast backs is open to debate.
An interesting aspect will be the attacking impact made by two fullbacks expert at making room for themselves; East Coast's Nick Olson and Carterton's Inoke Rasabale. We'll plump for an East Coast win but only just.
Gladstone travel to Pongoroa to take on a Puketoi team who will have relished their win over Marist last weekend. Gladstone though will be a much more formidable foe. They gave Pioneer a decent run for their money for all but the final stages of their match last Saturday and continue to give the impression of a side who will be right in the mix when the Tui Cup main championship round gets under way. A Gladstone victory has to be the most likely result.
Premier division action returns to Memorial Park in Masterton tomorrow, where Rams will be looking to add extra spice to their old-timers' day celebrations with a win over Greytown. That might be easier said than done, however, as Greytown do appear the more balanced of the two teams. Greytown get the nod here.
The Eketahuna women's team have had a mixed start to their season but they can put their Wellington premier division Fleurs Trophy campaign back on track by beating Old Boys University at Eketahuna tomorrow, kick-off at 11.30am.