Mixed results open title race

The form book hasn't exactly been a reliable guide in Wairarapa-Bush senior fitrst division rugby this season.
Often we have seen teams flatter one week only to deceive the next and the end result is a competition in which the names of likely semi-finalists are changing on a regular basis.
In fact, right now a good case could be made for as many as eight of the 10 participating teams achieving that distinction
Masterton Red Star and Puketoi, on the other hand, would need a succession of near miracles to make the grade but they are in the 'improving" category and are capable of pulling off an upset or two before the season is out.
The closeness of the competition should not be allowed to mask, however, the rather mediocre standard of rugby being produced in the premier league.
Very few games played so far could be labelled as entertaining and Wairarapa-Bush coach Peter Russell was spot on when in an interview with the Times-Age last week when he bemoaned the lack of basic skills being shown.
Russell feels too many teams are trying to emulate the "fancy stuff" they see in the Super 12 with the result that the number of turnovers being made is of major proportions.
It would be interesting to see figures relating to the number of times set piece ball has gone through more than two pairs of hands without a passing or handling error causing an abrupt halt to the attack. They wouldn't make great reading, that's for sure.
Tactical nous hasn't been a strong point either. In just about every game played at Memorial Park this season , for instance, the amount of aimless kicking has reached epidemic proportions. And teams have been unwilling to work through more than a couple of phases before trying to crack open the opposition defence.Patience seems to have become a dirty word in that respect.
Even allowing for the fact that results have been very difficult to predict there will be firm favourites in all five first division games tomorrow.
The draw is:-
PIONEER V EKETAHUNA, Jean Street at 2.30pm: Defending champions Eketahuna are again at the top of the points table and with experienced campaigners like Hamish McKenzie and Simanu Simanu now back in harness it's difficult to imagine their progress being slowed here. Pioneer started the season strongly but have been somewhat up and down in recent weeks. Interestingly enough they are the only Masterton-based side who actually get to play their home games on their actual home ground (at no cost to spectators too)and that's certainly a help. Whether it will be enough advantage for them to upset Eketahuna though is doubtful.
GLADSTONE V PUKETOI, Gladstone at 2.30pm: You get the feeling that when Gladstone "clicks" anything could happen, and Puketoi will be hoping they aren't the team to suffer. The forward exchanges should be rugged but the slickness of the Gladstone backs should be the deciding factor. They have some untapped talent there and this is a game where that should come to the fore
MARIST V EAST COAST, Memorial Park at 2.30pm:. Now that Kerry Hargood is adding bulk to the pack and the backline is practically at full strength Marist should be a handful for any other first division side., The Coasters though have impressed with their enthusiasm and determination and won't go down without a decemnt struggle. Their promising first-five Te Maika Mason will be keen for a big game. He will mark Wairarapa-Bush regular Patrick Rimene and will further advance his own chances of rep selection if he compares favourably.
GREYTOWN-TUHIRANGI V MASTERTON RED STAR, Tuhirangi at 2.30pm: Greytown-Tuhirangi are a better unit than their eighth place on the points table would suggest and they'll look to build confidence by taking Masterton Red Star to the cleaners. That might not be as easy as it sounds ,however, as Stars have come a long way in a short time and resolve is a commodity they have in abundance. In newcomer Dan Hape they have a midfield back headed for the top and the combined side will need to be wary of him.
CARTERTON V MARTINBOROUGH, Carterton at 2.30pm: Carterton weren't too flash in their loss to Eketahuna last weekend but you'd still have to fancy them having the edge on a Martinborough side who have been the real surprise packet of the first division series, especially on their home turf. You can safely wager though that Martinborough will be all hustle and bustle and if Carterton lose their structure they could be in strife