Revenge occupies Coaster's minds

East Coast will have revenge on their minds when they take on Masterton Red Star in a Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby match at Memorial Park, Masterton tomorrow.
The first-round clash between the two teams, who share the two top places on the competition table, saw Masterton Red Star go in as rank outsiders and come away with a deserved 15-3 win.
Remarkably for a side with easily the best attacking record in the competition all East Coast could manage on that occasion was a penalty goal although it must be said Masterton Red Star didn't fare too well in the try-scoring department either, all their points coming from penalties too.
The likelihood of that scoring pattern being repeated tomorrow is, however, rather slim as with both teams containing backs who like to move the ball around you'd have to anticipate at least two or three tries being scored.
Having said that though it wouldn't surprise if East Coast, in particular, look to play a forward-orientated game, particularly if Masterton Red Star are without their inspirational skipper Jake Bubb, who limped off the field at halftime against Pioneer last Saturday.
Bubb is one of those players who thrive on the more physical aspects of the forward game and without his willingness to continually run the ball at the opposition defences Masterton Red Star would become heavily dependent on their other "bash and crash" merchant Tim Hintz to fill that role. Nullify his influence and East Coast would be doing themselves a huge favour.
For the sake of argument we'll plump for an East Coast win but not by much.
Pioneer must still be rueing not taking several prime scoring chances in their narrow loss to Masterton Red Star last weekend and they will be anxious too about meeting Eketahuna at Eketahuna tomorrow, considering their first-round clash on their home turf resulted in a crushing 31-5 win to the Bush boys. Pioneer do have more attacking talent in the backs but Eketahuna are sure to give them heaps up front and won't be minding the prospect of a heavy track. The overall form book says a Pioneer win but there is no certainty about it.
Gladstone are at home to Greytown and this should be another close go. It hasn't exactly been a vintage season thus far for Gladstone judging by their own high standards but you get the feeling the worm is turning now the semi-finals are relatively close at hand. Greytown won the first-round clash 30-20 and it wouldn't be surprising to see a similar scoreline this time, only the other way around.
Carterton and Marist are not exactly out of the semi-final race yet either but whoever loses their match at Carterton tomorrow will just about have kissed their chances goodbye. Look for very different tactics from the two sides with Carterton aiming to keep the ball close to the forwards and Marist wanting to express themselves in the backs. The wintry weather might just give Carterton the edge.
Martinborough will do their top-four aspirations a big favour if they pick up the maximum five points against Puketoi at Martinborough but with Puketoi on something of a roll over the past few weeks they wouldn't want to take anything for granted. Puketoi have a rugged pack and one of the best kickers in the competition in Jason Liverton behind them and they will be quick to punish any complacency on Martinborough's part.
Intending patrons are reminded the start time for all premier division games tomorrow is 1.30pm excepting that at Martinborough which will kick off at the usual time of 2.30pm.