Bottom feeders need to up game

CLEVER DOES IT: In-form Marist lock Lawrence Titter reaches for the try line outwitting Pioneer players in last week's game at Jeans St. PHOTO/CHRIS KILFORD

IF TEAMS in the bottom half of Wairarapa-Bush Rugby's Tui Cup have any aspirations of making the championship play-offs they need to start winning tomorrow.

With six rounds to play, a 14-point gap has developed between fourth-placed Gladstone and fifth-placed Martinborough, with another two points back to Carterton and Eketahuna.

Martinborough and Pioneer matches are generally not for the faint-hearted and are normally hard-fought affairs, due to the close association between the two clubs.

Martinborough will be sweating on the availability of first-five Tim Priest, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury. His sound kicking game and general direction of the backline was sorely missed in their big loss to Greytown last Saturday. Martinborough do have a hard-working forward pack though, especially their loose forward trio of Chris Reynolds and Josh and Jarred Hawkins. They have the ability to cause their bigger opponents more than a few problems.

Pioneer tend to drift in and out of games, turning on the brilliance one moment followed by a spell of incompetence. Look to Jamie Smallman, whether he plays in midfield or in the loose forwards, to create havoc with his damaging runs. While winger Charlie Brown is an interesting addition to the team since his transfer back from Greytown. He has the speed and trickery to open up the defence.

Prediction: A typically close battle but Pioneer to take the points 12 under

- Marist come up against a steadily improving Carterton on the Memorial Park artificial turf.

An understrength Marist should be kicking themselves for going down to Pioneer last weekend. On that occasion, they were missing several key players away "at camp", but back to a full complement should prove a handful for Carterton.

If Carterton can gain an advantage, it could be in the forwards. Locks Johnnie and Lachie McFadzean, loosie Brock Price and hooker Hamish Forrester have been in fine form. In saying that though, they come up against form Marist players in locks James Goodger and Laurence Titter, and openside Liam Devine.

Prediction: An even forward battle with the Marist backs proving the difference - Marist 12 under.

- Regardless of where they are on the points table, battles between the country cousins Eketahuna and Gladstone are nearly always tight.

Eketahuna come into the match after a comprehensive victory over the hapless East Coast, but Gladstone are a completely different proposition.

Back to near full strength and starting to play with confidence, Gladdy are starting to show signs they will be serious title contenders.

The key for Eketahuna is try to gain parity with the experienced Gladstone forwards and then shut down the slippery Inia Katia, whether he plays at halfback, centre or fullback.

Prediction: Gladstone won their first encounter 18-10. The same winner - a bigger scoreline.

- At Greytown, it's top-of-the-table Greytown up against winless East Coast.

The teams come into the match with wildly contrasting form; Greytown on the back of running in 55 points against Martinborough and the Coasters after conceding 40 points against fellow bottom four side Eketahuna.

East Coast have been a match for most teams in the forwards with lock Joe Feast and new rep prop Terry Norman leading the way. Whether outstanding flanker Sully Alsop takes the field is a matter of conjecture, due to injury concerns. It's the backline where the Coasters lack the size and depth to test their opponents.

The home side should gain parity in the forwards and provide talented backs Byron Karaitiana, Nick Olson and Nick Robertson, plenty of quality ball to work with.

Prediction: Greytown far too good - a bonus point victory.

Points after eight rounds:

Greytown 33, Pioneer and Marist 29, Gladstone 28, Martinborough 14, Carterton and Eketahuna 12, and East Coast 1.