One thing Covid has done is brought the communities back together stronger - and the 200-plus crowd showed this at Bush Multi Stadium on Saturday when the Bush Senior Bs took on East Coast in a pre-season game, before the Bs start their Manawatu Senior B Division campaign.
![Bush B's Scott Neil (left), Brayden Henson and Ian Giblett prepare for a scrum directed by referee Rebecca Mahoney.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/XYWFQP7OZNPTE2JHOB5637YW7A.jpg?auth=fff4e660fb37ecc79cf4e3383864234a335bd1d94193b5448f409fce39e95d6d&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
![The East Coast team gather at halftime.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/UDIWH2N47JQPXS2YT5N5GR4ZIE.jpg?auth=275f7ca8305eba68532953376b8ba659813e3921f29d888fba0d3fa3c2c07e33&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
The Bush Bs started strongly, showing East Coast they weren't afraid of hitting hard with some well-drilled plays set by coach Andy Rankin. However, the team couldn't maintain consistency and found themselves 22-0 down at halftime, with East Coast showing a little more sharpness and speed in the centre.
![The Bush B players take in the halftime talk from coach Andy Rankin.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/FN4KMEHOKOOKWKNZXSA4W7RGCM.jpg?auth=9b861e526e6cc9b8044ec57c416562f47295a20588727030b76038a584840586&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)