Football
Wairarapa United have a hard act to follow in their Central League football match with Miramar Rangers at Howard Booth Park, Carterton, on Sunday.
Coming on the back of their impressive 7-0 thumping of Napier Rovers City last weekend the challenge for Wairarapa United will be to produce a similar performance against opposition who look to have the league title in the bag.
And they could even have to reach greater heights if they are to continue their stunning record at Howard Booth Park, having not lost a game there for over 12 months.
The record of Miramar Rangers says it all. In 15 league games they have had 11 wins and four draws and sit at the top of the table on 37 points.
By comparison Wairarapa United, after 14 games, have seven wins, three draws and four losses. They are fourth on 24 points.
Rangers have scored 48 goals and conceded 20 while Wairarapa United have scored 36 and conceded 21.
United supporters might be bemused that a ex-squad member, Englishman Paul Ryder, has been spearheading the Miramar Rangers attack, having netted 21 goals this season. Ryder is obviously thriving at his new club.
It will be interesting to see whether Wairarapa United have any special plans to counter his skill.
The fact they kept Napier City Rovers scoreless will have boosted confidence and experienced campaigners like Adam Cowan and Waisake Sabatu know every trick in the book when it comes to keeping dangerous attackers under wraps.
The home team can also take comfort from the goalkeeping of Matt Borren, in sublime form in recent weeks.
Offensively too Wairarapa United have good reason to feel they can give Miramar Rangers plenty to think about.
The return of the gifted Alssney Cissoko to the midfield adds to their playmaking capabilities and so well did Dale Higham play as a central striker last weekend that he could be retained there.
The temptation for coach Phil Keinzley must to play three players up front, partnering Higham with Charles Mallman and Seule Soromon.
It won't only be the main game attracting interest on Sunday, as the curtain-raiser will be a Capital third division match between the Wairarapa United seconds and Gardner Electrical Masterton.
Wairarapa United seconds are top of the points table and need to win two of their last three games to seal the title.
The form book says they should beat Masterton comfortably enough, but local derbies have a habit of throwing surprises and they won't be taking anything for granted.