Martinborough top of table

Martinborough have taken a clear lead in the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union's Tui Cup premier division competition.

Their 30-17 win over East Coast at Whareama on Saturday saw Martinborough pick up the maximum five points - four for a win and one bonus for scoring four or more tries - for the second successive weekend.

They are now sitting on 10 points, two more than the only other side with a clean slate, Greytown.

Martinborough ran in four tries to East Coast's two in a match which kept a good-sized crowd well entertained.

Greytown have been one of the big improvers of the premier division in recent weeks and they maintained the momentum with a 16-8 win over Eketahuna at Eketahuna. Greytown scored two tries to Eketahuna's one and also benefited from a couple of penalties kicked by Hamish Meyrick.

Pioneer's lengthy unbeaten sequence came to an end when they were beaten 27-22 by Gladstone at Gladstone. Pioneer did score three tries to Gladstone's two, but the home team profited from some excellent goal kicking by wing Guy Wood, who landed five penalties and a conversion. And, for good measure, he also scored both his team's tries.

Bush Sports and Carterton shared the honours in their clash at Pahiatua 13-13. Carterton scored two tries to their opponent's one but eight points from the boot of Dylan Bennett - who also scored their try - was vital to the Bush Sports cause.Premier division details:

Martinborough 30 (J. Hawkins, J. Hartnell, N. Hunt and W. Newth tries, C. Whittaker 2 conversions, 2 penalties), East Coast 17 (J. McGilivary, M. O'Connor tries, N. Olson 2 conversions, 2 penalties).

Bush Sports 13 (D. Bennett try, 1 conversion and 2 penalties); Carterton 13 (V. Volavola, M. Wakefield tries, D. Brown penalty).

Greytown 16 ( R. Pope, G. Van Dalen tries, H. Meyrick 2 penalties); Eketahuna 8 (E. Drodolagi try, B  Maher penalty).

Gladstone 27 (G. Wood 2 tries, 5 penalties and 1 conversion), Pioneer 22 (A. Henare-Kuru, H. Peacock, G. Paku tries; T. Haira 2 conversions and 1 penalty).

Unofficial competition points are: Martinborough 10, Greytown 8, East Coast, Pioneer and Gladstone 5, Carterton and Bush Sports 2, Eketahuna 0.

In Shannahan Cup senior seconds play Rams beat Tuhirangi 27-16 and Pioneer defaulted to Puketoi.