Slick Marist deserve spoils

The 23-10 winning margin secured by Marist over Masterton Red Star in their Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby match at Memorial Park, Masterton, on Saturday was hardly a reflection of the respective merits of the two sides.
The fact they were more polished in their finishing work meant Marist deserved to take the spoils in what was a physical and entertaining fixture but Masterton Red Star did enough to suggest they should be a force to be reckoned with as the 2010 season progresses.
Nothing impressed more about the Marist effort than the unity of their pack in the many short passing rushes they launched through the course of the 80 minutes. Hooker Leuma Wilson was invariably at the head of them along with evergreen No8 Ben Couch and lock Corey Reid and the closeness of their support play often saw them make 30 to 40 metres as a consequence
In lanky James Goodger Marist not only had the best lineout forward on the paddock but a player who covered huge territory on both attack and defence. His move to the No6 jersey could well see him elevated to higher honours this season as he has the aggression and the positional sense, especially in defensive situations, to make a huge impact in that role.
The Marist backs generally chose their options well with Danny Blong making an excellent fist of his new position of first-five. The former midfielder showed the ability to kick well with both feet and always looked composed under pressure. Masterton Red Star probably created as many prime scoring chances as Marist but a tendency to spill passes just as the goal-line beckoned cost them dearly, none more so than on the occasion when the ball was dropped in the act of a try being scored. Missing three or four very kickable penalties didn't help their cause either.
There was though a lot to like about the sting in the Masterton Red Star pack with front rowers Jake Bubb, Tim Grooby and Nathan Haglund leading the way in the tight stuff and Chris Senior and Kane Bubb shirking nothing in the loose. The introduction of fiesty lock Tyrone McTavish in the second half added further impetus to the forward effort.
Halfback Callum Buchanan had a busy game behind the Masterton Red Star scrum, Jamie Fraser appealed as a well balanced first-five and Heemi Tupaea did some grand defensive work at centre.
Tafa and Liam Devine scored tries for Marist and James Goodger landed three penalties and two conversions. Fono Setu scored a try for Masterton Red Star and Jamie Fraser kicked one penalty and one conversion.
Defending champions Carterton got their latest campaign off to a flying start with a 26-11 win over Greytown. C. Whittaker, S. Hull and J. Scott scored tries for Carterton and J. Hurley kicked three penalties and one conversion. Greytown scored a try through T. Adams and R. Slater kicked two penalties.
East Coast and Pioneer were expected to have a close tussle at Whareama and so it proved with the Coasters edging home 10-8. W. Williams and R. Thompson scored tries for the home side while I. Namana scored a try for Pioneer and T. Haira kicked one penalty.
Eketahuna ran in a couple of tries in beating Martinborough 17-3. R. Temani and L. Nerioti touched down for Eketahuna with J. Hull adding two conversions and a penalty. G. Wilson kicked a penalty for Martinborough.
Gladstone ran in nine tries in blitzing Puketoi 56-0 at Pongaroa. The Gladstone tries were scored by A. Potts, M. Vuicakau (3), J. Naivalu (2), J. Bailey, I. Katia and L. Graves and impressive newcomer Vuicakau kicked four conversions and a penalty.