Forwards lay foundations for Bush to win handily

The ruggedness of their pack paved the way for Bush's comfortable 27-10 win over Wairarapa in the sub-union's rugby match played at Pongaroa yesterday.
With the recent inclement weather guaranteeing heavy conditions underfoot, supremacy up front was always going to be a key factor in the end result and it was the Bush eight who called the tune in every facet of forward play.
Spearheading a powerful effort in the scrums were experienced props Jared Brock and Brendan Walker, both of whom were prominent in other areas of the tight game as well, while Daniel Griffin and Brandon Young were top value at the lineouts, invariably timing their jump to perfection and taking down clean two-handed ball.
Griffin _ who looked fully recovered from the knee injury which caused him to miss all of last season's Heartland championship programme _ and Young also starred in many strong surges with the ball in hand, as did No8 Hamish Walker, whose two tries were the reward for an outstanding all-round effort. He was seldom halted by the first tackle when on the charge and showed similar aggression in his defence. Yet another Bush forward to impress was flanker Rupeni Temani, who constantly harrassed the Wairarapa inside backs with his speed off the mark and the sureness of his tackling.
With their forwards in such telling form it was little wonder that Bush first-five Jason Liverton spent much of the game putting boot to ball with the idea of keeping his pack on the front foot and it was a tactic which worked well. Crete Cribb showed his versatility by playing soundly at both second-five and halfback and there was some strong running in broken play from winger Mata Matatini.
Wairarapa simply didn't attain enough quality possession from their forwards to make a close game of it and they weren't helped either by being the victims of a high penalty count. Flanker Tommy Sargent, however, caught the eye with his high workrate in defensive situations, No8 John McFadzean was handy enough in the lineouts and a determined runner whenever the ball came his way in broken play and locks Corey Reid and Andrew McLean toiled away honestly in the tight stuff.
Of the Wairarapa backs Api Matenga provided a sound service from halfback despite often being under pressure and youngster Cody Whittaker did nothing to harm his growing reputation when he replaced Matenga late in proceedings. In the midfield Sam Mitchell and Jesse McGilvary were doughty defenders and no one was more willing to at least try and add individual spark to his team's effort than fullback Nick Olson. He usually managed to evade a couple of tackles before being grounded.
Hamish Walker (2), Jared Brock, Rupeni Temani and Ben White scored tries for Bush and Crete Cribb kicked a conversion. Replacement winger Sentury Taffa scored a late try for Wairarapa and Jono Hurley kicked one conversion and one penalty.