Rugby
East Coast had to dig deep for their 22-17 win over Gladstone in the Tui Cup premier division rugby match played at Whareama on Saturday.
It was an important game for both teams, East Coast because a win would guarantee them a semifinal spot and Gladstone because victory would keep them in contention for a top four placing as well.
Through most of the first half they played on surprisingly good underfoot conditions considering the heavy rain which had fallen over the previous couple of days and it was East Coast which looked the better of the two sides, not by much but by enough to suggest they would achieve their objective in relatively comfortable fashion.
With two durable campaigners Joe Feast and Robert O'Neale and talented youngster Ben Holmes leading the way they had the edge up front and the tactical excellence of Zeb Aporo at halfback and Byron Karaitiana in midfield ensured they kept moving in the right direction.