With little sport on over King’s Birthday Weekend, it’s time to reflect on how the region’s teams are progressing in the various sports competitions, locally and regionally.
RUGBY
Club rugby takes a break, with the only action being the first hitout for Copthorne Wairarapa-Bush under new coach Reece Robinson on Monday away to Central Hawke’s Bay.
Robinson will take a squad of 25 to Waipukurau, intending to give all squad members ample playing time against what he expects to be determined opponents, with the Stu Smith Memorial Trophy up for grabs. There will be a full preview of Monday’s game in tomorrow’s Times-Age.
After three rounds of the Chris ‘Moose’ Kapene Memorial Trophy premier championship, defending champions Carterton are flexing their muscles and lead the standings with a maximum of 18 points, two clear of last year’s beaten finalists Marist, with Lane Penn Trophy champions Martinborough on 14, and Greytown on 13.
Lane Penn Trophy runners-up Pioneer bounced back after suffering two heavy losses to start the premier championship to thump Gladstone 74-7 to go fifth equal with Gladstone on eight points. East Coast and Eketahuna bring up the rear on four points.
Disappointingly, Wairarapa Wahine Toa’s season is over after they missed qualifying for the top four of the Manawatu Women’s Championship.
HOCKEY
Farriers Dalefield are well-placed to progress to the top four semifinals in the Intercity men’s championship, with one round to play.
After suffering a first-up 8-4 loss to Indians, Dalefield bounced back with a 13-1 demolition of Bay Independent, meaning a win over Palmerston North College on June 10 will be enough to make the top four in the new competition involving teams from the Wellington, Manawatu, and Hawke’s Bay competitions.
The Dalefield women need a win over Palmerston North College to secure their place in their Intercity championship.
At the halfway stage of the Wellington premier championships, both teams are handily positioned to push for championship glory, with the women second and the men third.
Wairarapa local league players also have the long weekend off. Comvita Kia Kaha head the men’s championship and Gladstone Gold top women’s division one. Both are unbeaten.
NETBALL
There’s a familiar look to the Wairarapa premier one championship, with two-time defending champions Wairarapa College A and Celtic the only sides yet to taste defeat after three rounds. New premier one team Opaki Vixens and Harcourts make up the top four. of the eight-team league.
FOOTBALL
Football is the odd one out, with games in the Capital leagues and Wairarapa local leagues.
Tumu Douglas Villa will sit out the weekend. Their away fixture against Miramar Rangers was postponed because of a clash of ground bookings. Douglas Villa have been one of the form teams of Capital division two. They are second, two points behind Wellington Marist after eight rounds.
Greyfriars Motel Greytown have been superior to most opposition in Capital division three with their only glitch, a 3-3 draw with second-placed Upper Hutt City. Their dominance is highlighted by Josh Stevenson leading the golden boot stakes with a phenomenal 19 goals and Jarrod MacDonald second with nine goals.
Greytown should extend their unbeaten record against the struggling Stop Out Thirds at Soldiers Memorial Park tomorrow, kickoff 2.30pm.
There is also a full round of Wairarapa local league fixtures tomorrow and a preliminary round of the Wairarapa Cup knockout competition on Monday.
The Wairarapa United women face a stern challenge when they host Wellington United Opals at Hullena Park at 12.30pm on Sunday. United sit midtable with three wins and five losses in Capital Women’s Division One.
