Tough battles for semifinal spots

Semifinal spots are on the line when the final series of qualifying matches in the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union's Tui Cup premier division competition are played tomorrow.

Of the eight teams, only last year's beaten finalists Carterton (six points) and Bush Sports (four) are out of the reckoning, yet they could both play a huge part in the make-up of the top four.

Carterton are at home to Eketahuna (10 points), who must pick up the maximum five points if they are to have any chance of clinching a semifinal berth, while Bush Sports travel to Whareama to play East Coast (15) who know a win will see them safely through and a loss could mean elimination. The end of the road could also be nigh for the losers in the Martinborough (16) v Gladstone (15) fixture at Martinborough and, if Pioneer fail to beat Greytown (17) at Greytown, they will be history in the Tui Cup after taking the Kapene Memorial Cup first round spoils with an unbeaten record.

It is worth noting, of course, the top two teams after tomorrow will be at home for the semifinals and, while Greytown and Martinborough have the inside running, East Coast, Gladstone and Pioneer could still overhaul them.

A brief preview of the four games is:

Carterton v Eketahuna, Carterton at 2.30pm: Carterton will be a dangerous beast here. They can't make the semis but they will be desperate to finish what has been a frustrating season for them on a high note. Eketahuna not only have to beat them but also pick up a bonus point for scoring four or more tries. Crack loosies Johan Van Vliet and Rupeni Tamani are their top try-scorers and just how often they are able to get their hands on the ball might be the deciding factor.

East Coast v Bush Sports, Whareama at 2.30pm: Bush Sports will look back on their debut season as one which initially promised much but fell short of expectations. A variety of circumstances beyond their control hasn't helped. They are sure to give East Coast a torrid time up front but whether they can blunt the speed and flair of the East Coast backs, spearheaded by Jesse McGilvary and Nick Olson, is another story.

Martinborough v Gladstone, Martinborough at 2.30pm: A heck of a game in prospect here. Both teams are clearly capable of ending the season as Tui Cup holders but one of them might well be making their last appearance for 2012 tomorrow. The loss of playmaker Kieran Te Whare with an arm injury is a huge blow to Martinborough and their hopes could rest on how whoever fills the No10 jersey responds to that challenge. Gladstone have lost gun goal-kicker Guy Wood and converting their opportunities in that vital area has to be a worry for them.

Greytown v Pioneer, Greytown at 2.30pm: You have to take your hat off to Greytown, who have come from battlers in the Kapene Cup to the top of the pops in the Tui Cup. All that could change if they lose to a Pioneer team who could possibly move from fifth into the top two should they prevail. And would that mean a home semi at their Jeans St grounds. The big question is how Greytown's defensive structure will cope with the always-attacking approach of Pioneer, who have clearly been the number one entertainers in premier division play. The making of first tackles is always a key component, against Pioneer it usually means the difference between winning and losing.