Just how much quality ball they can obtain will be the deciding factor for Eketahuna in their Wellington premier division women's rugby semi-final match with Johnsonville at Eketahuna tomorrow. Johnsonville will be travelling over the Rimutakas knowing that Eketahuna's strength lies in the pace and flair of their backs and theywon't need telling the best way of nullifying their influence will be by dominating the forward exchanges. Which means in turn, of course, that if Eketahuna can at least come close to breaking even in the battle for possession they will be well on the way to claiming a grand final spot. It is the set pieces of lineout and scrum where Johnsonville will look to impose their height and weight advantage to the greatest effect. Eketahuna's lineout play in the last of their top six playoff matches against Oriental-Rongotai last weekend was nowhere near as precise as they would like and they will certainly need to do better there. In the looser phases of the forward game, however, Eketahuna should more than hold their own. Skipper Perri Tatana and Heather Edwards are a couple of lively loosies, strong on attack and defence, and No.8 Emma Aldworth can be a punishing runner in broken play. So well off are Eketahuna for attacking talent in their backs that the likelihood is that powerful midfielder Shakira Baker will actually be moved to the wing for tomorrows's game. This would allow Maia Tua-Davidson - so impressive against Ories last weekend - to play at centre outside the proven inside combination of Laura Gavin, Rebecca Hull and Jessie Bennett, all of whom are also in grand form Hull is sure to play a huge part in the Eketahuna game plan and there would be many a senior men's team in Wairarapa-Bush who would love to have a first-five with her ability to make the right decisions at the right time. Her tactical kicking against Ories was superb, as was her determination when she decided to run the ball back at the opposition. Eketahuna have already exceeded their own expectations by making the semis but there is no doubt they are now capable of going one step further and making it to the competition decider. Kick off is at 1pm.
