Miserly Eketahuna side looks likely

A torrid forward battle seems certain when Marist and Eketahuna meet in a Wairarapa-Bush premier-division rugby match at Eketahuna tomorrow.
With Marist sitting at the top of the PGG Wrightson-sponsored competition table and Eketahuna fourth, just six points in arrears, both are serious title contenders, some pundits already predicting they will be the grand finalists.
Marist won the first-round clash between the sides 29-19 but even their most ardent supporters would agree that scoreline flattered them. Eketahuna had had the edge in the forward exchanges but had been unable to turn enough scoring chances into points, while Marist had generally made the most of theirs, limited as they were.
Eketahuna will look to dominate up front again. They have a pack with size and mobility and coach Graeme Cheetham is sure to stress the importance of taking Marist's backline brilliance out of the equation by allowing them only scraps of possession.
Marist will be aware of the Eketahuna tactics and their coach, Nathan Couch, will have worked hard to ensure his forwards are ready to withstand the Eketahuna forward onslaught. Other premier-division games:
Puketoi v Greytown at Pongaroa: Greytown hammered Puketoi 51-5 in their first-round clash but it will be a huge surprise if the scoreline is anything like that this time. Puketoi have made excellent progress since and now have one of the most rugged packs in the competition. Greytown will have the edge in the backs but the question is, will they get enough ball to turn that into a winning advantage?
East Coast v Pioneer at Whareama: Pioneer conceded a ''tonne'' against the Coasters last time they met but it shouldn't happen here. Pioneer might be heading for a winless season but they are improving and that should be shown in the final scoreline. Prolific-scoring East Coast fullback Nick Olson has already racked up 126 points in club games this season and should increase that tally by a significant amount here.
Masterton Red Star v Gladstone at Memorial Park: Masterton Red Star beat Gladstone 27-5 in the first round and considering they are 11 points clear of their rivals on the table another comprehensive victory should be on the cards. Appearances could prove deceiving, though. Gladstone have several talented ball winners in their pack and will fancy their prospects of dominating the battle for possession. Do that and an upset could be on.
Martinborough v Carterton at Martinborough: Carterton have climbed to second equal on the table after a slow start, while Martinborough have dropped to sixth equal after being one of the early pacesetters. Only six points were in it in their first-round match, with Carterton taking the honours. With their loyal supporters egging them on, Martinborough should make a close game of it. Carterton will start favourites but an upset is by no means out of the question.
Lastly, a thought on the Super 14 semifinal between the Bulls and Crusaders. Facing the Bulls in South Africa was always going to be a huge challenge for Todd Blackadder's men and it's been made more difficult by Aussie Stu Dickinson's appointment as referee. He tends to blow a not-too-merry tune on his whistle in the big games and with the Crusaders needing to use their outside backs' pace if they are to win, the last thing they want is a game that has little flow to it.