A CLOSE game looks in prospect when Marist and Gladstone meet in a Wairarapa-Bush premier division inter-club rugby match at Memorial Park, Masterton tomorrow.
Marist's hopes will largely depend on whether their forwards can win enough quality possession to allow experienced backs like Patrick Rimene, Phil Aporo and Ben Couch to
call the tune.
It will be a tough challenge for the Marist pack as Gladstone are a formidable unit up front. A newcomer in Ross Batty has already made a huge impression at hooker and looks set to wear the Wairarapa-Bush colours this season while the same could be said about the gritty Andrew McLean at lock.,
And in the loose Gladstone have a trio of proven performers in Mike Spence, Steve Wilkinson and Sam Henderson.
In Marist's favour though is that they have enough experience amongst their forwards to turn up the heat when required. Players such as Lee Paku, Matthew Rowlands, Kerry Hargood and Geordie Walden will relish the thought of a physical confrontation, especially in the set pieces of scrum and lineout.
The Morris Cup will be at stake when Pioneer and East Coast clash at the Park Sportsground.
Pioneer ran in 10 tries in beating Masterton Red Star by a miniature cricket score last weekend .
However,they can expect far stiffer opposition from an East Coast team who will be well aware of Pioneer's attacking capabilities out wide, when they are given room in which to move, and who will therefore be looking to make their first tackles count.
Defending champions Eketahuna are the only side in the first division series yet to taste defeat, and they should continue on their winning way when they play Martinborough at Martinborough.The home side are a lively lot who will contest everything in a willing fashion, but Eketahuna should have too much scoring power at both back and forward and a comfortable win is anticipated.
The Puketoi v Masterton Red Star encounter at Pongaroa gives both these teams the opportunity to register their first win of the season and there should be few points in this one. Puketoi will probably fancy their chances of dominating the forward exchanges, but if Masterton Red Star can win a fair share of ball there their backs could have a big say in the end result.
