Cream rises in premier division

Rugby

By Chris Kilford

A few eyebrows might be raised as a result of the latest round of games played in the Wairarapa-Bush premier division on Saturday.

Eketahuna had to come from behind to defeat a spirited Marist at Memorial Park and finally prevail 27-15. Ed Herring, Jacques Reinhardt, Bo McShane and Sam Monaghan touched down for Eketahuna with Tom Meuli adding a conversion and a penalty. Hemi Walker and Anthony Balks scored tries for Marist in the second half, with PJ Rimene slotting a conversion and a penalty.

Defending Kapene Cup champions Pioneer kept themselves in the hunt to retain the title with a comprehensive 58-22 thumping of Carterton, scoring eight tries to three in the process. Himiona Haira, Nikora Ewe and Sean Robinson scored two tries apiece while Hoani Peacock and Joe Thompson also touched down. Thompson added six conversions and two penalties. In reply, Blair Heming scored two tries and Tom Dixon one for Carterton with Tim Griffith adding a conversion and Daryl Pickering a penalty.

Greytown showed having to sit through the bye last weekend was no deterrent to their season so far, running in four tries in their away game at Gladstone. Regan Pope, Tapaga Isaac, Tavita Isaac and Teihana Brown touched down for Greytown, with Hamish Meyrick adding three lots of extras and a penalty. Gladstone's point came from Shaun Loader and Cameron Hayton tries with Hayton adding a conversion and a penalty.

Infringements around the rucks and mauls and at the breakdowns cost East Coast dearly in the 27-17 defeat at Martinborough, allowing Tipi Haira to slot five penalties in addition to a conversion of two tries scored by Thomas Te Kani. Wiremu Grace and Ben Holmes dotted down for the Coasties with Byron Karaitiana adding one conversion and a penalty and Nick Olson the other conversion.

In the senior reserves grade, Bush Sports accounted for Masterton Red Star 25-12, Pioneer completed a club double by beating Carterton 47-13, Greytown also completed the double 38-0 over Gladstone while Tuhirangi defeated Martinborough 37-20.