It is in Pioneer's favour in the battle for the Kapene Cup if a draw is the end result, as they lead Greytown by one point on the competition table. But that would also leave the door open for Eketahuna, who could leapfrog both should they account for Marist.
Other first division games:
East Coast v Carterton, Whareama at 2.30pm (Shay O'Gorman, Graeme Reisima and Bruce Tomlin): A week ago the prediction would have been for a comfortable win to East Coast on the basis of their better form background but Carterton's 31-18 defeat of Martinborough last weekend has certainly given the crystal ball gazers something to think about. The return of Jono Hurley is an obvious boost to their backline, as is the acquisition of big South African prop Heinrich Terblanche to their pack and they are set to give East Coast a whale of a game. Mind you, the Coasters won't be short of confidence either. They produced some of their best form of 2014 in their 31-20 defeat of Marist last Saturday and, as had been said often before, Whareama is invariably a happy hunting ground for them. It's tempting to sit on the fence but we'll plump for East Coast by a point or two.
Marist v Eketahuna, Memorial Park No1 at 2.30pm (Andrew Stringer, Paul Thompson and Mike Voice): The motivation of knowing a win could possibly see them finish with the Kapene Cup in the trophy cabinet will be an extra spur for Eketahuna. They are coming off the back of two successive "test" matches against Greytown and Pioneer though, and you do have to wonder how that will affect their performance. On the face of it, they should be a little too strong for Marist at back and forward but, at the same time, Marist have been one of the big improvers this season and it would be dangerous to completely discount them. Eketahuna have to be favourites but not by much.
Martinborough v Gladstone, Martinborough at 2.30pm (Scott Andrew, Doug Whitcombe and Baden Whale): Martinborough desperately need a win to stake any claim for a Tui Cup semifinal berth further down the track, while success for Gladstone will consolidate their fourth place going into the second round of the main championship. Beating Greytown 20-19 last weekend is clearly a huge feather in the Gladstone cap but one suspects they will need to replicate that effort to dispose of a Martinborough side who will have plenty of fire in their bellies. Gladstone should still have the edge but, here too, appearances could be deceiving.
Refereeing appointments for other other matches tomorrow are:
Senior reserves: Eketahuna v Marist, Eketahuna at 1pm (Mike Wakefield); East Coast v Tuhirangi, Whareama at 1pm (Graeme Reisima); Pioneer v Carterton, Jeans Street at 1pm (Paul Thompson); Martinborough a bye.
Manawatu colts: Eketahuna v Massey Blue, Eketahuna at 1pm (Vaea Peterson, Pat Baucke and Carey Henricksen).
Wellington secondary schools: Kuranui firsts v Hutt Valley High seconds, Greytown at 1pm (Dean Goodin).
Manawatu secondary schools: Wairarapa seconds v Rathkeale seconds, Wairarapa College No2 at 12.30pm (Ed Wallace).
Wairarapa-Bush secondary schools: Junior grade: Wairarapa Blue v Wairarapa Gold, Wairarapa College 3 at 10am (Bruce Tomlin); Kuranui v Makoura, Kuranui No1 at 10am (Baden Whale); Chanel v Rathkeale, Chanel No1 at 10am (Pat Baucke).
The Gladstone v Greytown senior reserve match is played under lights at Gladstone tonight, starting at 7pm. Gary Hall is the referee. The Golden Oldies match between Milhillians and Evergreens at Memorial Park on Sunday at 12.30pm will be controlled by Pat Baucke.
