East Coast overcame a sloppy first half to beat Rams 32-16 in their Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby match at Memorial Park on Saturday.
Up by just 14-13 at the end of an opening 40 minutes in which they "blew" several scoring chances through basic handling and passing errors, East Coastdominated the scoring action in the second spell to win by a comfortable - if somewhat flattering - margin.
Experienced inside back Zeb Aporo was clearly the player of the match for East Coast, dancing through and around the Rams defence to score his team's first try and then setting up the second with similarly deft footwork. He was always a menace when given room in which to work and was generally sound in his option taking.
Nippy halfback Jordon Carroll was another East Coast back to shine through the speed and accuracy of his service and there was some typical thrustful counter attack from fullback Nick Olson. At centre Jesse McGilvary had few attacking chances but was solid on defence.
The East Coast forwards actually played second fiddle to a determined Rams eight through most of the first half but under some harsh "riding instructions" from coach Mark Donaldson at the break there was a noticeable lift in urgency when play resumed. Locks Wiremu Grace and Tom Cobley and flankers Ian Evans and Joe Feast were the pick of them.
Rams performed better than the final score would suggest.
Their young and inexperienced pack was always willing to take the battle to their opposition with impressive prop Daniel Gilmore, hooker Lance Buchanan, lock Quentin Trass (the best lineout forward on the paddock) and No8 Karl Thompson putting in top efforts.
Like their East Coast counterparts the Rams backs struggled to get fluency into their play because of simple errors. There was, though, a lot to like about the strong running and equally assertive defence of Heemi Tupaea at centre and the soundness of Matt Henderson at second-five.
In other premier division games, Gladstone edged out Eketahuna 11-10 in their match played under lights at Gladstone on Friday night, Bush Sports overwhelmed Marist 62-5, Martinborough just managed to stave off a plucky Puketoi 21-20 and Pioneer came from behind to beat Greytown 29-13.
