Ewe and Rolls lead demolition of Rams

Pioneer turned on the razzle dazzle in their 55-10 demolition of the Rams in their Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby match at Memorial Park, Masterton on Saturday.

Many of the nine tries scored by Pioneer came from movements launched from deep inside their own territory with a couple of them starting near their own goalline.

And it wasn't only the pacy and inventive Pioneer backs who regularly broke open what was admittedly a rather tentative Rams defence, their forwards likewise relishing the chance to demonstrate their ball running skills

If there had been a prize for the player responsible for the biggest land grab in attacking situations two of their pack, Lee Ewe and Nathan Rolls, would probably have been prime contenders. They both starred in several rampaging bursts with the powerful Ewe, especially, knocking over would-be defenders like nine pins.

That Ewe and Rolls were constantly able to roam in the wide open spaces came through the ability of their tight forwards to earn a steady stream of quality possession and leading the way there was the rugged Ihe Namana.

There was very little kicking from a Pioneer backline which were intent on giving the ball air no matter what part of the field they were in.

Astutely directed by first-five Tipene Haira they often had the Rams grasping for thin air with clever switches of direction and if it wasn't Haira himself making the initial break it was the likes of Hoani Peacock, Tommy Harmon and Daniel Ranger. Peacock scored a hattrick of tries through a mix of nifty footwork and swift acceleration.

For the Rams this was pretty much a game to forget. They did have a brief period in the second half where they gave about as good as they received but, in the end, the final scoreline was a fair enough indication of the merits of the two sides. Second-five Matt Henderson was perhaps the pick of the Rams, making a couple of useful dabs in broken play and kicking two good penalty goals.

Premier division action started on Thursday with two games being played under lights. Puketoi picked up their first win of the season with an exciting 27-22 defeat of Eketahuna while Bush Sports made it three wins from as many matches with a convincing 29-0 success over defending champions Gladstone.

On Easter Friday it was home team East Coast who secured a comfortable 30-0 win over Marist while in the second premier division match played on Saturday Carterton maintained their unbeaten record with a narrow 15-10 win over Greytown.