Rugby
Greytown had to come from behind to secure the Kapene Cup for this season, after their 28-17 victory over Pioneer in Greytown on Saturday.
The home side were given a severe test by current cupholders Pioneer, who were determined not to relinquish the trophy without giving of their best.
Greytown had to withstand something of a battering in the first half hour, a period when they were barely able to break past the halfway line, such was the commitment and dominance of a Pioneer side clearly fired up for the occasion. The visitors' pack took it to their Greytown counterparts, with prop Jaden Mason and flanker Mike Harmon prominent in the early exchanges, making their presence felt with some aggressive runs which invariably broke the advantage line.
Pioneer first five Duane Fricker used the breeze to kick into open spaces behind the Greytown defence, turning the home side around and forcing them to counter attack from deep in their own territory. Missed touch finders only added to the pressure on the home side as the well positioned Pioneer defence was able to gather and run the ball back at them.
Pioneer did not transfer their first half superiority into points however, thwarted by handling errors and also rugged Greytown defence. Their only reward came from an unconverted Daniel Sinclair try to deservedly lead 5-0.
Greytown had their backs to the wall, reduced to 13 players after referee Springer had sent Teihana Brown (yellow card) and Josh Faraimo (straight red) packing in quick succession. But they dug deep and rallied, scoring during one of their few forays into Pioneer territory when Nathan Iro barged through for a try close enough to the sticks for Harry Foster to convert. Greytown took an unlikely 7-5 lead in to the break.
Pioneer resumed slowly after the restart and failed to make full use of their one man advantage. They fell further behind after barely five minutes when Nathan Iro crossed wide out for his second try with Tavita Isaac brushing off defenders to do likewise in the opposite corner, both tries well converted by Harry Foster to open Greytown up to a 21-5 advantage.
Pioneer came roaring back with Nathan Rolls prominent in some close support play which had served them well in the first spell. Firstly livewire half back Joseph Thompson slipped in after a 40-metre unopposed dash down the blindside and then Sean Robinson crashed over after a midfield breakaway, reducing Greytown's lead to four points, 21-17.
Pioneer sensed an upset but, pinned back by a Greytown side determined not to let their hard-gained advantage slip, their efforts to run the ball from deep broke down and lock Regan Pope sealed the win on full time with a try which Hamish Meyrick converted.
Elsewhere, Eketahuna overcame Bush Sports 20-12 with Dan Griffin, Sam Monahan and Zac Wilkie crossing for tries to the home side with Tom Meuli adding a conversion and a penalty. In reply, Josh Shannahan and Adam Mabey crossed for Bush with Jordan Bennett Davies adding one conversion.
At Memorial Park, Martinborough battled their way to a 20-17 victory over a resolute Marist side to retain second spot on the ladder. Seuituli Tafa and Pua Tafa scored tries for Marist with PJ Rimene adding one conversion and James Goodger the other. Warren Ireland was responsible for the majority of Martinborough's points, scoring a try while adding two conversions and two penalties. Tennessee Liumaihetau scored the other Martinborough try.
Another close score was recorded at Gladstone where the home side beat East Coast 18-15. Halfback Inia Katia crossed twice for Gladstone, with Cameron Hayton also scoring and adding a penalty while flanker Ben Holmes and Hohepa Thompson replied for the Coasties and Nick Olson added one conversion and a penalty.
In senior reserves, Tuhirangi accounted for Carterton 24-0 to retain the leadership of the division, Masterton Red Star defeated Marist 31-12, East Coast overwhelmed Gladstone 38-5 and Greytown completed the club double over Pioneer.