Last gasp try gives Puketoi victory after losing long lead

A late try gave Puketoi an exciting 27-22 win over Eketahuna in their Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby match played under lights at Eketahuna on Thursday night.

It was Puketoi's first win of the 2012 season and it came in in two halves of diametrically contrasting fortunes.

It was Puketoi who called the tune in the opening 40 minutes and they went to halftime with a decisive 20-5 lead.

However, the second spell was basically all Eketahuna and they looked to have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when they led 22-20 -including a penalty try - with time almost up. But that wasn't to be with Puketoi claiming a try just before the final whistle to snatch the honours.

Outstanding for Puketoi was Fijian utility back Eroni Ravaga who made several scintillating runs, especially in the first half. He scored two of his side's three tries.

In the other match played on Thursday night, Bush Sports retained their unbeaten record with a 29-0 beating of defending champions Gladstone at Gladstone while on Easter Friday Eastbeat Marist at Whareama, winning 30-0.

Pioneer made it three wins from as many matches with a 55-10 towelling of the Rams at Memorial Park on Saturday, running in nine tries in an impressive display of attacking rugby.

Also on Saturday, Carterton - who had the bye the previous weekend - also kept their unbeaten record intact with a 15-10 defeat of a Greytown side playing under new coach Seanoa Isaac for the first time.

Results:

Puketoi 27 (E.Ravaga 2 and E.Rayaqayaqa tries; Ravaga 1 conversion, J. Liverton 2 penalties, 2 conversions); Eketahuna 22 (J.Van Vliet, K.Oliver and G.Cremen tries; Creman one penalty; penalty try).

Bush Sports 29 (G.Archibald, E.Feo, J.Bennett-Davies 2 tries; Bennett-Davies 3 conversions, 1 penalty goal); Gladstone 0.

East Coast 30 (K.Nooroa, L.Titter 2, J.McGilvary tries; B.Karaitiana 2 conversions, 1 penalty goal and 1 dropped goal); Marist 0.

Pioneer 55 (L.Ewe, H.Peacock 3, D Paku, C.Naera, I.Namana, G.Paku and D.Ranger tries; T.Haira 5 conversions), Rams 10 (S.Tafa try, M.Henderson 2 penalty goals).

Carterton 15 (I.Rasabale, T.Vatuloka tries; D.Brown 1 penalty and 1 conversion), Greytown 10 (J.Avatea and J. Te Whiti tries).

Detailed report on Pioneer v Rams match page 24.