Rugby
Pioneer will face an acid test when matches in the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union's Tui Cup premier division competition kick off tomorrow.
There has been a lot to like about the way Pioneer have gone about their business in their defeats of Gladstone and Eketahuna in their opening two matches but now they face the daunting assignment of confronting another of the unbeaten sides, East Coast, on their home turf at Whareama.
Under the astute coaching of Ritchie Robertson, who took Greytown to the Tui Cup title last year, East Coast cannot yet be labelled as the finished article. But even a tough taskmaster like Robertson must have been pleased with the manner in which they recovered from a slow start to bring up their half-century against Carterton last weekend.
A feature of that performance was the uncompromising play of the East Coast forwards around the fringes of the rucks and mauls, with the likes of the impressive No8 Tom Bowie, skipper Joe Feast and lock Tom Cobley assertive on attack and defence.
The challenge for Pioneer coach Mike Harmon and his troops then will be to meet that fire with fire and, with the ever-consistent Nathan Rolls sure to be leading the way, aided and abetted by Eruera Henare, Lee Ewe and Matt Kawana, they are capable of doing just that.
Ewe, in particular, could be a key player in the Pioneer scheme of things. He is clearly one of the most punishing runners in the competition and the more Pioneer can get the ball into his hands the better for them.
That the two teams will be prepared to give their backs every chance to impose themselves on the game is undoubted. Neither of them will ever die wondering when it comes to the creation of try-scoring opportunities and between them they have some of the most dangerous attackers in the region, notably Zeb Aporo and Nick Olson for East Coast and Joseph Thompson and Damian Kamo-Paku for Pioneer. Players like them only need to be given an inch to take a mile.
Whatever the end result, a hugely entertaining match is in prospect and while we'll plump for East Coast there should be very few points in it whichever way it goes.
Martinborough and Eketahuna should also have a whale of a game at Martinborough. Both sides are seen as serious contenders for the Tui Cup title but will know they need to improve on their efforts of last weekend to maintain that billing, Martinborough being somewhat fortunate to draw with a Gladstone side that missed several kickable goals and Eketahuna going under to Pioneer.
Much will depend on the ability of the Martinborough pack to cope with the physicality of the rugged Eketahuna forward unit. Do that and their backs could give them the edge.
Bush Sports and Carterton were on the end of big beatings last weekend and will be using their match at Pahiatua to get some confidence back. Carterton will start slight favourites but, in reality, it could go either way.
Gladstone will still be ruing those missed kicks against Martinborough last weekend but should pick up maximum points when they host a Marist side yet to open their account.
Meanwhile, Tuhirangi are continuing to call the tune in the senior reserve competition, taking their record to eight wins from as many matches when they beat Masterton Red Star 38-25 last weekend.
Player of the day was Bradley Legge, who scored a try and kicked four conversions. Tim Roberts (2), John Wyeth, Jimmy Boyle and Ryan Sewell were the other try-scorers.
The two questions being asked about Tuhirangi now are: can they maintain their unbeaten way right through the 2013 season? If so, will they be looking towards promotion to the premier division? Watch this space!