Reserves may miss out on refs

A shortage of referees may lead to senior reserve grade rugby matches in Wairarapa-Bush being controlled by host club appointees.

That's the message from Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Referees Association spokesman Peter Debney, who says refereeing numbers are about to be stretched to breaking point.

With all secondary schools competitions kicking off on May 5, the WBRRA could be required to cover as many as six matches more than they are at present and that means the host club for at least some senior reserve games could be forced to arrange their own referees.

That situation brings another warning from Debney; any club appointee called on must have completed the Rugby Smart process to be eligible to referee.

"It's important that clubs are aware of their responsibilities," Debney said, adding that the WBRRA would support any club requesting assistance to run an associate referees' workshop.

Meanwhile, the annual exchange between Wairarapa-Bush and Marlborough referees will be held on Saturday. Locals Andrew Stringer and Paul Thompson will control matches at Lansdowne Park, Blenheim, while Marlborough duo Joe Bancroft and Peter Watson will be in action at Eketahuna.

The feature premier match this week will undoubtedly be at Martinborough, where the home team will host Pioneer.

Both teams have yet to taste defeat this season and will have the incentive of knowing a loss here will deal a major blow to their hopes of winning the Kapene Cup, which goes to the leading team at the end of one full round of matches.

The Wairarapa-Bush club rugby draw for Saturday is:

Premier division: Bush Sports v Greytown, Pahiatua at 2.30pm (A Payne; G Reisima and B Wills); Puketoi v Rams, Pongoroa at 2.30pm (T Roseingrave; V Peterson and home team); Eketahuna v Carterton, Eketahuna at 2.30pm (J Bancroft, Marlborough; D Goodin and P Watson); Marist v Gladstone, Memorial Park at 2.30pm (S O'Gorman; P Weeks and W Jefferies); Martinborough v Pioneer, Martinborough at 2.30pm (S Andrew; G. Moorcock and K Lochhead); East Coast, bye.

Senior reserves: Bush Sports v Greytown, Pahiatua at 1pm (G Reisima); Eketahuna v Carterton, Eketahuna at 1pm (P Watson, Marlborough); Martinborough v Pioneer, Martinborough at 1pm (G Moorcock); Tuihirangi v Rams, Pirinoa at 2.30pm (C Jefferies); East Coast and Gladmarist, byes.

Wellington women's premier: Eketahuna v Norths, Eketahuna at 1pm (D Goodin).

Secondary schools - Open grade: Makoura first XV v Wairarapa College third XV, Makoura at 11.15am (G Hall); Chanel first XV v Rathkeale second XV, Chanel at 11.15pm (B Stewart). Junior grade: Rathkeale White v Wairarapa Gold, Rathkeale College 2 at 10am (K Lochhead); Rathkeale Green v Makoura College, Rathkeale College at 10am (W Jefferies); Chanel v Kuranui, Chanel College at 10am (P Weeks); Wairarapa Blue, bye.