Bush Sports lose out on home advantage

Bush Sports drew the short straw in the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union's Tui Cup premier division championship.

The Pahiatua-based team, which only become affiliated to the WBRFU at the start of this season after previously having been part of the Manawatu club scene, were drawn to only play two of their six qualifying round matches at home; the least of any of the eight participating sides.

On the other hand, Carterton had the good fortune to draw four home games and two away while the other six clubs were given a three-three split.

Complicating matters was a decision by the WBRFU to introduce a "ghost round" to replace the Saturday lost through the Wairarapa-Bush representative side playing a first-class match against Horowhenua-Kapiti at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

Rather than have the clubs play midweek, the council elected to make a random draw for a round of matches which would not actually be played. Out of the hat came Bush Sports v Greytown, East Coast v Gladstone, Pioneer v Eketahuna and Martinborough v Carterton

There seems little doubt this decision will have an impact on which of the four teams go forward to the semifinals as with just three rounds of qualifying games still to be played all eight remain in the reckoning.

Currently it is Greytown making the pace with 12 points, followed by Martinborough 11, Gladstone and Pioneer 9, East Coast 6, Eketahuna 4, Bush Sports 3 and Carterton 2.

Greytown front up to East Coast at Whareama tomorrow in what should be a battle royal. A dropped pass in the dying seconds very probably cost East Coast a draw, or even a win, against Pioneer last Saturday, the same day on which Greytown upset Martinborough by a solitary point.

That defeat allowed Greytown to leapfrog Martinborough on the competition table and Martinborough will be keen to get back the winning habit when they host Bush Sports.

For the latter, another loss would just about spell the end of their semifinal hopes so they too won't lack anything on the score of endeavour.

Defending Tui Cup champions Gladstone are at home to Eketahuna and the improved form shown by Gladstone over the past couple of weekends bodes well for them. News they will soon be losing their prolific-scoring winger Guy Wood isn't exactly what their supporters would like to hear though. He has become something of a legend out Gladstone way through the accuracy of his goal kicking and his try-scoring feats.

Pioneer will start warm favourites to beat Carterton in their encounter at Jeans Street. This will be an important game for Pioneer as, with Martinborough and Greytown to come, they don't have an easy finish to the qualifying rounds.