Wairarapa rugby set for 125th

Debby Castles needs a helping hand.
The executive assistant for the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union has the huge job of issuing invitations to the union's 125th birthday celebrations over Queen's Birthday Weekend to the veritable host of past and present players and administrators eligible to attend and is keen to ensure nobody misses out.
That, though, is easier said than done because while the names and whereabouts of those involved with the WBRU A and B rep sides and their management structure since 2003 are pretty well known the waters are rather murkier for the years previous to that ... years that saw Wairarapa and Bush working as separate entities until their merger in 1971.
Yes, the numerous photographs from seasons gone by are a major assist but as Castles points out they do not provide vital information like current addresses or phone numbers.
And that's why she is appealing to those who feel they should be on the invitation list to contact her at the union offices, and to pass on details of the celebrations to former team-mates or administrators who may not be aware of the festivities.
"Even those who are confident we know where they are should get in touch, we're basically starting from scratch and there's always the chance that somebody will be overlooked," Castles said yesterday.
"People move over time and the rugby union is probably the last place they think of when updating their details."
The celebrations will see all five premier division club matches set down for Saturday, June 4, being played at Memorial Park with kickoff times of 12.30pm and 2.15pm. The teams will then gather at the Masterton Town Hall for a formal welcome where special guests will include the union's surviving All Blacks and Maori All Blacks, Black Fern Rebecca Mahoney, national Heartland reps and centurians.
Sunday, June 5, will be a "mix and mingle" day with the emphasis on social engagement but there will be rugby action too with the Eketahuna women's team playing one of their Wellington competition games at Memorial Park.
Monday, June 6, will bring the Wairarapa v Bush sub-union fixture, which will be a final trial for those aiming to make this season's Heartland squad. Age group sides, including JAB teams, will also play at Memorial Park that day.
Meanwhile, premier division club games continue around Wairarapa-Bush tomorrow with the highlight perhaps being the clash between two of the unbeaten sides, East Coast and Marist, at Whareama.
Both teams have a penchant for the running game and will be keen to give their backs every chance to express themselves in an attacking sense so don't be surprised if the number of tries is of double-figure proportions. East Coast are playing at home and unlike Marist have a rearguard which have mostly played together for a while now. Those advantages could be enough to give them the edge.
Carterton and Gladstone should have a battle royal too in their fixture at Carterton. The home team already have a couple of wins on the board while Gladstone had the bye last weekend after thrashing Puketoi first time up. The two sides seem evenly matched at both back and forward and it wouldn't surprise if goal kicking decided this one.
Masterton Red Star and Greytown will be meeting at Memorial Park No 2 because of the No 1 ground being out of action because of maintenance work, the timing of which has understandably frustrated union officials who have no control over the matter. Whoever loses here will virtually be out of the reckoning for the Kapene Memorial Cup, which goes to the leading team at the end of the first round and another close finish is on the cards.
Pioneer are playing Featherston at Colombo Rd and while Featherston are sure to lack nothing on the score of endeavour the slickness and pace of the Pioneer backs will be expected to give them a comfortable win.
Puketoi defaulted to Marist last weekend because of a shortage of players but will be back on deck tomorrow when they host Martinborough at Pongaroa. Martinborough will start firm favourites but will need to be wary of the threat posed by a Puketoi pack aiming to stifle the greater attacking flair of the Martinborough outside backs.