Cameron Hayton continued his remarkable points scoring exploits when Gladstone came from behind to beat Carterton 23-13 in the Hoddert Steffert Cup premier division plate decider when the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Football Union held their grand finals day at Memorial Park, Masterton on Saturday.
Hayton, a member of the nationalHeartland squad last year was responsible for 20 of the Gladstone points with two tries, two conversions and two penalties and that took his tally for the 2013 club season to 247 points, a staggering achievement and the lion's share of the 384 points Gladstone scored over the whole season.
Carterton had the better of the first half and the early stages of the second, mainly through the vigorous play of a pack led by the McFadzean brothers, Johnnie and Lachie, but Gladstone finished the stronger of the two. Their No 8 John Stevenson had a storming game up front and, along with Hayton, who was at centre, back to shine were Hayden Manley and Jon Bailey.
Apart from Hayton's contribution Richard Puddy dropped a goal for Gladstone while Carterton's points came from tries to Johnnie McFadzean and Carlos Rimene and a penalty by Danny Brown.
Martinborough ran in four tries to beat Masterton Red Star 24-12 in the Ryan Cup senior reserve final. Up 19-0 Martinborough had to withstand a determined Masterton Red Star fightback which saw them reduce that advantage to just a converted try before Martinborough sealed the victory in the closing stages. Chris Renwick scored two tries for Martinborough with others going to Wal Ireland and Stacey Aporo. Ireland also landed two conversions. Oka Lagolago and Jonte Miller were try scorers for Masterton Red Star and Cole Harper kicked one conversion.
East Coast beat Eketahuna 29-12 in the President's Cup senior reserve plate final.
Pioneer club were not represented on grand finals day this season but they were still part of the trophy presentation list with premier team flanker Rimataei Mururai receiving the Bob Francis award for Best and Fairest player over the 2013 season.
