Future bright for Rams

Rugby

It was a big moment for Rams under-6 player Ethan Hayes touching down for his team's opening try when Wairarapa-Bush JAB rugby matches got under way last weekend.

In doing so he became the first try-scorer for the Rams in JAB matches this season and it was fitting reward as he was one of his side's star players in their drawn fixture against Marist at the Pioneer grounds, displaying good passing and running skills.

The Rams started the 2013 season with a roar, achieving what would have been the best results recorded in one weekend for many seasons. Of the 14 games played, they registered 10 wins, one draw and three losses.

The under-13 and under-11 teams had impressive first-up wins over Marist. The under-10s played a well-drilled Pioneer squad and went down 25-10 in what was a close tussle, while the under-9 teams showed the benefit of pre-season practice sessions by recording victories over Greytown and Featherston.

All three Rams under-8 teams had wins although the Greys also tasted defeat, going down to their Rams Black clubmates 2-1 in an end-to-end thriller.

In the under-6 grade, the Whites had a win and a loss and the Blacks had a draw.

Meanwhile, the Gladstone under-9s kicked off their season with a hard-fought 35-25 win over their Carterton counterparts. Player of the day for Gladstone was Tommy Tomlinson who made numerous storming runs.

Last Sunday, the Greytown JAB took about 100 children to Upper Hutt to compete in the annual Slater Shield, which is thought to be one of the oldest exchanges between two clubs in New Zealand.

Seven Greytown teams competed - from under-6s through to under-13s - and while it was a formidable challenge against an Upper Hutt club with greater playing resources, they generally gave as good as they got. However, it was Upper Hutt who ran out the overall winners on the day.