Strength and skill undoing of Wairarapa

Wairarapa-Bush winger Nick Olson crosses over for the first try in yesterday's pre-season match against Hawke's Bay Saracens. ANDREW BONALLACK

Hawke's Bay Saracens were too big, too fast and too skilful for Farriers Wairarapa-Bush, winning yesterday's pre-season rugby hit out 68-19 at Masterton's Memorial Park yesterday.

A bright start by the home side led to winger Nick Olson opening the scoring after 10 minutes. First-five Tim Priest broke the first line of defence and a lovely inside ball saw Olson twist and turn his way over the line handy to the posts.

It took 17 minutes for Hawke's Bay to score their first points, when winger Ethan Pritchard easily beat the defence to score out wide.

From then on the visitors took control, running in a further four tries in the first half.

Lock Trent Boswell-Wakefield finished off a slick backline move, slippery centre Matt Garland showed all his skills and pace in a 30-metre run that bamboozled the defence, Pritchard crossed for his second, and punishing No8 Joseph Penitito was rewarded for an impressive first half with a try after the hooter.

The floodgates looked as if they could open when halfback Zac Donaldson scored Hawke's Bay's sixth try a minute into the second half, only for the Bush to fight back with a second try to Olson, who finished off a regulation backline move in the corner.

However it was teammate Andy Humberstone who scored the try of the match. The second-five stayed on the touchline when a penalty was awarded. Priest caught the Hawke's Bay defence asleep with a pinpoint kick that was taken by Humberstone, who beat one tackle to score the home side's final try.

Jarvy Aoake, Junior Waqa and George McPherson wrapped up the scoring with further tries for the visitors.

Despite the scoreline there some encouraging signs from Wairarapa-Bush.

Priest directed play well at first-five and made some telling breaks, especially in the first half.

Olson and the other winger Jimmy Boyle both had busy games, as did loose forwards Liam Devine, Sam Gammie and James Goodger, who was particularly impressive in disrupting Hawke's Bay's lineout ball.

The tight five toiled hard but were always under pressure at scrum time against their considerably bigger opponents.

The forwards were also guilty of poor discipline at the breakdown, giving away seven penalties there in the first half alone.

The backline defence stood up well to early pressure but began to lose shape with the wealth of possession enjoyed by Hawke's Bay.

All in all there's plenty for both coaches to ponder.