Carterton triumph over Marist

Carterton cemented their place at the top of the PGG Wrightson Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby table with a convincing 30-16 win over Marist at Memorial Park, Masterton, on Saturday.
It was a tradesmanlike performance from the maroons, who had the edge on a depleted Marist side up front in the battle for possession and also looked sharper in the backs. Their ability to make good ground from short passing surges was an impressive part of the Carterton forward play.
Hooker Joe Harwood was prominent in that area as were fellow front rower Dylan Higginson and lock Tomasi Kedrabuka. The latter was also a towering figure at lineout time and, for good measure, one of his side's most effective runners in broken play where it invariably took two or more defenders to halt his progress.
Perhaps the pick of the Carterton forwards though was No8 Brock Price, who covered huge territory in often linking with his backs in attacking raids and was just as diligent with his cover defence. Throw in some useful work as a second string to Kedrabuka at lineout time and this was an excellent all-round performance from Price, one that could see him earmarked for higher honours if it can repeated on a regular basis.
Both halfbacks used, Justin Lett and Cody Whittaker, gave the Carterton outside backs a speedy and accurate service and players like Tipene Haira and Tommy Harmon in the five-eighths, Lance Stevenson on the wing and Jono Hurley at fullback all showed their attacking qualities. Harmon, especially, was all power and thrust in the midfield ... and would have got a 10 for the quality of his dive scoring one of his side's four tries.
Marist were without some of their key players, notably the Couch brothers Nathan and Ben, and while they were typically gritty it was only early in the first half, when they held a 6-3 lead, that they competed on an even keel. Skipper Kyle Karaitiana, lock Corey Reid and loosie Joe Nuku were the pick of the their forwards while halfback Api Matenga and wing Jordan Watene were the standouts in the backs.
Tommy Harmon, M Harrison, Jono Hurley and Lance Stevenson were the Carterton try scorers, with Tipene Haira landing two penalties and Jono Hurley two conversions. Ben Hurley and Murray Gleeson _ the latter with a spectacular 50-metre solo kick-and-chase effort _ scored tries for Marist and Api Matenga kicked two penalties.
East Coast did their semi-final aspirations a big favour with their 24-19 over Masterton Red Star at Whareama. Promising halfback Matt O'Connor scored one of the Coasters three tries along with Jesse McGilvary and Richard Cameron while Nick Olson added three conversions and a penalty. Joe Papaali and Chris Senior scored the Masterton Red Star tries and Chris Osborne kicked three penalties.
Eketahuna ran in eight tries in downing Pioneer by 46-3 at Eketahuna. Touching down for Eketahuna were Dan Griffin, Joss Tua-Davidson, Pita Tua-Davison, Rupeni Temani, Greg Harding, Henry Cameron and E F'eo (2) and Fe'o also kicked three conversions. Hoani Peacock got a penalty for Pioneer.
Gladstone and Greytown were always likely to have a close tussle and it was Gladstone who came away with a 17-12 victory. Richard Puddy, Jon Bailey and Andrew McKay scored their tries and J Mitchell kicked a conversion, Tavita Isaac and T Sio were the Greytown try scorers and Senoa Isaac kicked a conversion.
Martinborough will still be harbouring hopes of a semifinal berth after their hard-fought 27-17 win over Puketoi. Greg Wilson, Eli Telford and Jaco Pieterse scored the Martinborough tries and Darre Kapene picked up 12 points with the boot through three conversions and two penalties. Jason Liverton, S McKay and S Sanders were listed as the Puketoi try scorers with Liverton adding a conversion.
Unofficial competition points with four series to matches to play before the semifinals are: Carterton 54, Eketahuna 49, Masterton Red Star and Marist 45, East Coast 43, Martinborough 35, Gladstone 25, Greytown 20, Puketoi 14 and Pioneer 1.