Season openers look cut and dry

If last season's results are anything to go by, this weekend's opening round matches in the Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby competition should be pretty much foregone conclusions.
First up is the Eketahuna v East Coast clash, to be played under lights at Eketahuna tonight, and with Eketahuna shooting for their fourth straight premiership, and fielding much the same line-up as that which won the 2005 title, they will undoubtedly start clear favourites.
It's difficult ? nigh impossible in fact ? to imagine the mainly young East Coast side keeping an Eketahuna backline, which has scoring machines in Simanu Simanu and Jorji Tamani out wide, and one of the region's best players in Hamish McKenzie at halfback, in check
Their only chance of doing that would be to dominate the forward exchanges, and they do have some useful talent there in the form of Mike Peacock and promising loosies Glen Hanson, Joe Wyeth and Leroy Aspinall. But, quite frankly, it is difficult to imagine them doing that either.
The loss of Rob Foreman and Tim Iro has hurt Eketahuna in the forwards, but they still have the hardy Steve Olds to show the way, and others like Angus McMillan, Josh Mackey, Luke Mahoney and Solly Alsop to ensure that lack of possession does not become a problem.
Greytown-Tuhirangi are already being touted as one of the strongest contenders for a finals berth, come the end of the season, and they should have too many guns for Masterton Red Star in the late game at Memorial Park
Having players of the calibre of Dylan Higgison, Sylvanus Iro, Norm Henricksen and Bruce McKenzie to call on, virtually guarantees that a steady stream of quality ball will come Greytown-Tuhirangi's way and with the hugely talented Michael Hollis running the cutter at halfback their rearguard, should have every chance to stretch their legs. And that should be welcome news for players like speedster Tavita Isaac on the wing.
Carterton has drawn Puketoi at Pongaroa, and while Puketoi are often a difficult proposition on their home track, the ball - winning capabilities of players like Joe Harwood,Tomasi Kedarabuka, Shane Namana and Brodie Duffin up front, should mean that Carterton can utilise the attacking talents of backs Glen Bunny, Lance Stevenson and Jeremy Pigou. That being the case Carterton should win comfortably.
Puketoi will, however, be expecting talented youngsters like the Bambrys, Jared and Keiran, Tahe Haroko and Lewis Small to at least make their mark on proceedings.
As last season's beaten finalists, Gladstone are entitled to favouritism over Pioneer at Gladstone, but if there is going to be an upset in round one this could be it.
The battle of the loose forwards should be a cracker here, with Gladstone's Sam Henderson, Mike Spence and Steve Wilkinson up against Pioneer's Nathan Rolls, Jamie Smallman and James Ryan
The return of hard running midfielder Tommy Harman is a big plus for Pioneer amongst their backs, as is the steadying influence of the experienced Richard Carroll and the try scoring propensities of young wing Jordan Fox.
Gladstone will be relying on halfback Charlie Bargh to stir them along, and there is a rugged look to the rest of their backline, spearheaded by Dave Maungatai and Mike Shaw.
Featherston is back in first division action after a brief period in the wilderness, and they will play Marist at Featherston. With regular Wairarapa-Bush pivot Patrick Rimene calling the shots at first-five, and other old hands like Matt Rowlands, Lee Paku and Geordie Walden doing their usual honest toil up front, Marist should be a tough nut to crack.
However Featherston are quite capable of making a close game of it.
Having no-nonsense players like the Sargent brothers and Stu Berry to lead the forward charge is good news for them, and Paul Burt and Shem Crafer will provide aggression in the backs as well.
Another rugby attraction tomorrow will be the central region Golden Oldies Bongo rugby festival being played at the Colombo Road grounds in Masterton, with 16 clubs being represented including two from Wairarapa, the Milhillians and the East Coast Wrinklies, plus one from the South Island, the Oxford Oldies.
Each team is guaranteed at least three games and they will be played over two 20 minute halves.