Rugby: Wairarapa grand finals

Under-18 squad The Wairarapa-under 18 squad named today to assemble at Memorial Park on July 18 at 6.30pm is: Mark Cummings, Matt Henderson, Lance Buchanan, Francis Kenner (Masterton Red Star), Andrew Williams, Shaun Robinson, Danny Brown, Logan Allan, Dean Wardle, Geoffrey Gibson, Carlos Rimene, Jack Colton (Wairarapa College), Harvey Mason, Matthew Sims, Lou Vollebregt, Ben Foster, Jacob Warren (Rathkeale), Afala Schuster (Chanel), Ardun Mann, Shaun Duffy, Heata Phillips, Michael Cretney (Kuranui), Joseph Thompson, Henry Wilson, Kayne Paul, Todd Wickham-Hemi (Makoura), Jayden Mason, Tereina Henare, Nikora Ewe (Pioneer), Leroy Hunt (Tararua), Jacko Hull, John Southey (Eketahuna). Joint coaches are John Cummings and Gary Warren and the manager is Brent Gare.Minimising mistakes, staying disciplined and turning scoring opportunities into points.
That's how the two captains see the recipe for success when Carterton and Gladstone meet in the grand final of the Wairarapa-Bush premier division championship at Memorial Park, Masterton, on Saturday.
Not only do Mike Wakefield (Carterton) and John Stevenson (Gladstone) concur on those three requirements but they also agree that a close, tense match is in prospect.
In two earlier clashes this season, Gladstone won by just a few points, but Stevenson says they won't be dwelling on those results this weekend.
Rather, the focus would be on measuring up to Carterton in what should be a torrid forward battle and earning themselves enough quality possession to allow their classy backs to display their attacking skills.
Stevenson rates the Carterton forwards highly, saying they have enough old heads in their pack to respond positively to the pressure of a grand final.
"They don't mind the physical stuff and it will be important we match up to them in that respect," he said. "It's the old story - you can't win a game of rugby without the ball. We know their forwards will come at us with everything they've got and we have to be ready for them."
Carterton might be the defending Tui Cup champions but Wakefield says just making this year's grand final means 2011 is a success story, no matter what the result. That's because the Maroons have used a squad of just 17 to 18 players this season and, after a sluggish start, had talked little about successfully defending their title.
"Honestly, for us it's all been about going out and enjoying ourselves. The team spirit has been awesome and I guess that's what has got us through."
Wakefield also expects the struggle for ascendancy up front to have a say in how the final pans out and you get the feeling he won't mind if that is the case.
"Our forwards don't mind a scrap and neither do theirs. It should be pretty interesting there."
The full draw for grand finals day at Memorial Park is:
Victoria Tavern Trophy Wellington women: Eketahuna v Norths, No 1 ground, 11.15am.
Ryan Cup senior reserves championship: Pioneer v Masterton Red Star, No 3 ground, 12.45pm.
President's Cup senior reserves plate: East Coast v Carterton, No 2 ground, 12.45pm.
Hodder Steffert Cup premier division plate: Eketahuna v Pioneer, No 1 ground, 1.15pm.
Tui Cup premier division championship: Carterton v Gladstone, No 1 ground, 3pm.