History suggests Gladstone should beat Carterton in their Hodder Steffert Cup premier division plate rugby final at Memorial Park, Masterton, tomorrow.
Gladstone have won their two previous clashes this season, the first by 15-12 and the second by 28-18, but the contest was tight enough on each occasion forCarterton to hold realistic hopes of turning the tables here.
It is up front where Carterton will look to call the tune. The McFadzean brothers, Johnie and Lachie, are proven ball winners at lineout time and powerful runners in broken play, front rowers Blair Heming, Hone Vella and Dylan Higginson are a formidable front row and Luke Jones is a lively loosie capable of making his mark at a higher level.
The danger man in the backs is centre Paul Tiko, a former Poverty Bay representative just starting to hit his straps on the local scene.
No prizes for guessing who is the star act in the Gladstone line-up. Utility back Cameron Hayton has already racked up 227 points this season, including 19 tries, three of them in the 30-26 victory over Marist last weekend. He can trouble the best of defences, as can livewire Inia Katia, who could play anywhere from halfback to fullback. First-five John Bailey has a good boot and is never afraid to run the ball back at the opposition.
With so many backs with match-winning potential the onus will be on the Gladstone pack to win enough quality possession for them to cut loose. There is a similar scenario leading into the Ryan Cup senior reserve final between Masterton Red Star and Martinborough. Masterton Red Star have beaten Martinborough twice in as many games this season but the scores have been close enough to suggest Martinborough are not of this by any means. Locks Jacob Gibbs and Wade Walker are experienced campaigners in a Masterton Red Star pack which will want to restrict the ball available to hard-running Martinborough backs like Phillip Aporo.
Playing off in the President's Cup senior reserve plate final are East Coast and Eketahuna and this should go right to the wire.
