Weekend results seem predictable

Gary Caffell | 2nd July 2010

The form book should prove an accurate guide to results when matches in the Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby competition continue tomorrow.
The five teams left in the running for semifinal berths _ Carterton, Eketahuna, Masterton Red Star, Marist and Masterton Red Star _ are all drawn to play teams placed below them on the points table and while upsets are certainly possible, the odds do seem against it.
Of the five frontrunners, Marist would appear to have the best chance of picking up the maximum five points, four for the win and one from scoring four or more tries. They will play Pioneer at Memorial Park and with Pioneer yet to record a win this season, Marist should win comfortably.
At the same time, it could be worth noting that past history shows that Pioneer invariably produce some of their best form against Marist and that Marist seldom play well against them. So any dropping of their guard here and Marist could have a more testing day at the office than most pundits would think possible.
Carterton takes on Greytown at Greytown in what, over the years, has become something of a ''local derby'' and while Greytown are no longer in the hunt for the semis they would still take huge satisfaction from claiming a Carterton scalp.
The home team has speed and flair in the backs but Carterton will be relying on their forwards to dominate possession, something which should be achieved decisively enough to guarantee success.

Incidentally, there has been a late change of referee for this fixture with Gary Hall now in charge.
Eketahuna won't exactly be counting their chickens leading into their match with Gladstone at Eketahuna.
For Gladstone the current season has been a series of ''what ifs'' with the forwards being as rugged and confrontational as any of the packs in the competition but the backs struggling to show anything like the same consistency. Goal kicking, too, has been a worry.
They will relish what should be a very physical battle up front with Eketahuna and if it becomes little more than a forward slog in wintery conditions there is likely to be precious little between the two sides at the final whistle. The more-rounded Eketahuna gets the nod, but only just.
East Coast, which are fifth on the points table, travel to Pongoroa to take on Puketoi and they will be well aware that a torrid struggle for forward supremacy awaits them. That the Coasters will have too much pace and incentiveness in the outside backs if they can attain their fair share of quality possession is a given but that won't be anything like as easy as it might sound. The Puketoi pack are a formidable lot and they seem sure to keep their team in the game for a long way.
Masterton Red Star won't be taking anything for granted in their match with Martinborough at Martinborough either. With their side now back to almost full strength after a series of injury concerns Masterton Red Star should have the edge at back and forward but Martinborough are the sort of side who can never be under-estimated, particularly on their home turf. They will look to rattle Masterton Red Star up front and if that happens an upset is by no means out of the question.