Nick Olson scored 19 points for Greytown in their 39-23 win over Pioneer. PHOTO/FILE
Defending champions Greytown aren't out of the race for the Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby title in 2016, not by a long chalk.
A slowish start to the season had some pundits questioning Greytown's ability to repeat last year's effort but they would have been having different thoughts after their 39-23
win over Pioneer at Greytown on Saturday.
Goal kicking proved to be the main difference between the two sides in a game which saw no fewer than nine tries scored, five of them to Greytown through Marcus Ale, Kingi Kaiwai, AJ Manley, Nick Olson and Caine Osborne and four to Pioneer through Nikora Ewe (2), Jaden Mason and Karl Thompson. Olson also kicked four conversions and two penalties for Greytown while all Pioneer could manage from the boot was a Joseph Thompson penalty.
Competition front runners Carterton had a 27-0 win over cellar dwellers Martinborough. Daryl Pickering and Brandon Gidden scored tries for Carterton and they were also awarded a penalty try. Andy Humberstone added three conversions and two penalties.
Gladstone beat East Coast 24-18 in a game which also saw the Nunn Shield at stake. Loose forwards John Stevenson and Eddie Cranston scored the Gladstone tries and William Silvey kicked four penalties and one conversion. East Coast's scorers were not available.
