Fijian striker Pita Rabo and new Palmerston North-based recruit James Oxtoby were the individual stars when the Wairarapa United men's soccer club staged a trial match at Howard Booth Park,Carterton on Saturday.
Rabo was a constant thorn in the side of the opposition defence with his ability to make space for
himself while central midfielder Oxtoby impressed with his tactical nous on both attack and defence.
For the Anderson's Meat-sponsored Wairarapa United premier team coach Phil Keinzley the trial was an opportunity to experiment with combinations and while he conceded that the game did lose shape from time to time he was happy with the quality of talent on display.
"There were always going to be problems with communication and combinations because of players being moved around but the skill level was excellent," he said.
"And it wasn't only the more high profile players who shone, a lot of those who have come through our development team stood up and were counted.The progress they have made was very evident and that's a big plus for us."
Keinzley said next weekend's "friendly" with Naenae at Howard Booth Park would have a big say in which players made up Wairarapa United's premier squad for 2006.
"Right now there wouldn't be many certainties."
"We're well off for depth in most areas so those who impress in these early-season games are obviously going to have the inside running," he said.
