Unbeaten Marist face toughest test

Marist have opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby table.
They are the only unbeaten side after three matches and with a couple of bonus points to boot they are currently sitting on 18 points.
Sharing second place on 14pts are Martinborough and Eketahuna with Masterton Red Star on 13, East Coast and Carterton on 9, Greytown and Puketoi on 6, Gladstone on 5 and Pioneer on 0.
A brief preview of tomorrow's games is:
Masterton Red Star v East Coast, Memorial Park No1 at 2.30pm (referee S. O'Gorman, assistant referees C. Jefferies and A. Mortenson): The repeat of last year's grand final will produce the same result, a Masterton Red Star victory, if the form book is to be believed. However, don't be surprised if appearances prove deceiving here. East Coast will be licking their wounds after the beating they took from Carterton last weekend and they have enough talent all over the park to give the defending champions plenty to think about. Look for East Coast to place the emphasis on attack and Masterton Red Star to be rather more circumspect in their approach.
Carterton v Marist, Carterton at 2.30pm (A Stringer; E Wallace and D Whitcombe): This should be a cracker of a game. Carterton came into this year's comp. with a big rap but, to put it mildly, have been up and down while Marist have won three from three and head the points table. This could be Marist's biggest test yet though as Carterton have enough ball winners in the forwards and enough attacking flair in the backs to keep them on their toes.
Greytown v Gladstone, Greytown at 2.30pm (M Porter; T Lyford and K Lochhead): Greytown might have lost to Marist last weekend but they had their noses in front for a long way and had the look of a side who could upset one of two of the higher-rated teams as the season progresses. Their challenge here will be to match Gladstone up front and how they cope is sure to have a big say in the end result.
Martinborough v Puketoi, Martinborough at 2.30pm (A. Payne; G. Reisima and P. Weeks):
Martinborough have been going about their business in the manner of a team intent on being a serious contender for the premier division title and it would be a huge surprise if they tripped up here. Having said that, Puketoi are coming off the back of a very gutsy display against Eketahuna and you can bet their forwards are thirsting for the chance to impose their ruggedness on the Martinborough pack.
Pioneer v Eketahuna, Park Sportsground at 2.30pm (D Goodin; V Peterson and B Whale): Whether this game would be played was questionable at the time these notes were penned with the Pioneer club debating whether they would continue to field a premier division side.
They have conceded 295pts and scored only 20 themselves in their three games to date with a serious shortage of specialist backs counting heavily against them. Eketahuna for their part have been the big improvers of the premier division grade early in the season with some fitness work done under the supervision of gun athletics coach Mark Harris obviously having the desired effect.
The draw for other matches to be played this weekend is:
Senior reserve tomorrow: Masterton Red Star v East Coast, Memorial Park at 1pm (C. Jefferies); Pioneer v Eketahuna, Park Sportsground at 1pm (V. Peterson); Carterton v Featherston, Carterton at 1pm (E. Wallace); Greytown v Gladstone, Greytown at 1pm (T Lyford); Martinborough v Tuhirangi, Martinborough at 1pm (G. Reisima).
Women tomorrow: Eketahuna v Stokes Valley, Eketahuna at 11.30am (S. Andrew).
Secondary schools. Tomorrow: Wairarapa College first XV v Wanganui High School, Rathkeale at 2pm (T. Roseingrave), Sunday: Rathkeale College first XV v Wanganui High School, Rathkeale at 11am (S. Andrew).