Wai-Bush rugby representative Inia Katia taking a hit up for Pioneer. PHOTOS/JADE CVETKOV
LEAGUE
Pioneer had a mixed start to the season, with a big win, and two heavy losses in last weekend’s games.
The Pioneer U-16 team, with a few older players, hosted a Featherston senior side in a friendly on Saturday, coming out 62-12 winners.
The match was the first hit-out this season for the teams, and Featherston were short of numbers, so Pioneer provided some players to fill the void.
Pioneer have entered the Manawatu competition, and Featherston plan to compete in one of the lower Wellington senior men’s grades.
Featherston’s team are believed to be the first league team in the town. They train at Featherston Rugby Club grounds at 6.15pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, and those interested in trying out the 13-a-side code are encouraged to turn up.
In Sunday’s games at Coronation Park, Palmerston North, the Pioneer 12s went down to Outkast Mana 16-28, and the 14s were beaten 4-60 by Dannevirke Tigers.
McCullum triumphs in the twilight
CYCLING
Tom McCallum pulled away over the final stages to win Tuesday’s WizWireles Kaituna mass start road race, the last race of the ACM Masterton twilight cycling series.
A couple of surges early in the 23km race had splits develop and the line of riders broke into separate groups, but McCallum had the legs in the final few kilometres to pull away to win in 33 minutes 34 seconds, 21 seconds ahead of Dominic Green, who held off Dave Drummond in a tight finish.
Scarlett McCallum took out the short course race from David Howden and Jaimie Blackburn.
The next event for ACM are the Wellington Centre Championships being held at Gladstone on Sunday April 10.
Simpson still in good form
ATHLETICS
Darius Simpson continued his good form, winning the sixth race in the Wairarapa Times-Age 5km running series on Sunday.
Simpson cut out the 5km in 17 minutes 42 seconds, holding off Flynn Register by 18 seconds, with Whana Gordon third, 20 seconds behind.
Brooke Miller was fastest woman and 10th overall, in 21:37sec, with Vicky Paine second and Ava Register third.
Hannah Chu was best of those running the one lap taking 17:36 over 2.7km. Molly Hayes was second and Megan Blair third.
Eoin Inwood won the 2km race in 10:01, from Pippa Jenkinson and Pippa White.
The final race in the series, sponsored by Taylors Electrical, is on April 10.
