Premiers set for Bush semis

One semi-finalist for the Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby championship has already been decided, the three to join them won't be known until after the last round of pool games is completed tomorrow.
East Coast, unbeaten all season, are already through to the top four but, interestingly enough, they could still have a say in whoever is the other qualifier from pool A. They will square off against a Greytown team at Whareama which still has an outside chance of making the semis - outside being the operative word as for that to happen they would probably need to pick up the maximum five points.
Even then it wouldn't be enough if Pioneer defeated Martinborough at Martinborough, a result which would ensure Pioneer's passage to the top four.
Greytown's task could be softened to some degree if East Coast coach Mark Donaldson elects to rest some of his key players with an eye to freshening them up for the semis.
There would be nothing untoward in that but not only does East Coast have an unbeaten record to protect but they could still be deprived the advantage of a home semi-final if they lose and Pioneer secure the maximum five points from their game.Therefore, it's difficult to imagine East Coast fielding anything less than a near full strength combination.
The Pioneer v Martinborough encounter should be a cracker. Pioneer have 14 pts and Martinborough 11 pts, which means Martinborough must win tomorrow, and might even need a bonus point as well.
The last time these two teams met it was at Pioneer's home ground and Martinborough claimed a narrow win in a match which was highlighted by the ruggedness of the forward exchanges.
Dominating up front would certainly seem to be Martinborough's best chance of success again as that is where their strength clearly lies but Pioneer could be tempted to work on the theory that if they can obtain a reasonable share of quality of ball from their forwards then the attacking skills of their backs should give them the edge.
In pool B there are still three teams in with a chance of reaching the semis, Carterton (15 pts), Gladstone (12 pts) and Eketahuna (11pts).
The form book says Eketahuna are up against it. Sure, it will surprise if they don't manage to pick up the maximum five points against Masterton Red Star at Memorial Park but with Carterton likely to do likewise against Marist at Carterton and also Gladstone against Featherston at Featherston the Bush boys could - and should - still be third at the day's end.
The one glimmer of hope for Eketahuna is that Marist will bring their A game to Carterton and pull off what would be a major upset, enough to see the maroons drop from first to third on the points table. Problem is it's been a while since Marist have hit their straps with defections and injuries counting heavily against them. At full strength and in full cry they would unquestionably worry Carterton but the odds are against it - heavily so.