July 30th Newsletter

Welcome to this week’s WBRU Newsletter for the 30th July – Click Here to download

Tui Cup Winner

Eketahuna

Hodder Steffert Cup Plate Winner

Martinborough

Burger King Senior Reserve
Ryan Cup Winner
Martinborough

President Cup – Plate Finals Winner
Tuhirangi

Congratulations to all involved.

2014 Stats

Tui Cup 3 Top Points Scorer
Tom Meuli (Eketahuna) 139
Nick Olson (East Coast) 133
Joseph Thompson (Pioneer) 114
Tipi Haira (Martinborough) 111

Tui Cup Most Tries (More than 5)
Sam Monaghan (Eketahuna) 14
Malatai Malatai (Marist) 13
Paul Tiko (Eketahuna) 9
Nick Olson (East Coast) 10

Tui Cup Most Conversions
Joseph Thompson (Pioneer) 32
Tom Meuli (Eketahuna) 27
Nick Olson (East Coast) 22

Tui Cup Most Penalties
Tipi Haira (Martinborough) 22
Andrew Fell (Gladstone) 19
Joseph Thompson (Pioneer) 15
Tom Meuli (Eketahuna) 15

Ultimate Club Points Machine
(Senior & Reserves combined)
Pioneer 779
Eketahuna 703
Martinborough 697

Ultimate Try Scoring Premier Team
Eketahuna 66
Greytown 61
Pioneer 51

Eketahuna v Gladstone Final
A blistering second-half performance saw Eketahuna romp to a comprehensive 33-16 win over Gladstone in the grand final of the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union’s Tui Cup premier division competition at Memorial Park, Masterton, on Saturday.

Down 16-3 at halftime and being outplayed by a fired-up Gladstone side enjoying a healthy advantage not only on the scoreboard but in territory and possession as well, Eketahuna’s chances of finishing their 125th anniversary on a high note looked slim at best.

But the halftime message of coaches Wayne Roache and Kelsey Beales to “work harder and get excited” obviously worked as they were a completely different team in the second spell, running in five tries and 30 unanswered points in as perfect a 40 minutes of rugby you would ever expect at club level.

This remarkable transformation started up front. Whereas they had clearly played second fiddle to the Gladstone pack throughout most of the first half, especially in the tighter exchanges, the Eketahuna pack lifted the ante several notches, not only squaring the ledger in the possession stakes but gaining enough ascendancy in that area to allow a couple of sharp-thinking inside backs in Jordan Bennett-Davis at halfback and Sam Monaghan at first-five to take control of the tactical battle too.

Nathan Ebbett (2), Paul Tikomainavalu (2) and Sam Monaghan were the try scorers for Eketahuna and Tom Meuli added one conversion and two penalties. Tim Griffith scored the sole Gladstone try and Andrew Fell landed three penalties and a conversions.

Club Rugby Results on Saturdays on Facebook and Web page

Please note these are only preliminary scores and are subject to confirmation on Monday when the team cards are received and then entered accordingly.

Wairarapa Bush Club Awards Night
Book in Saturday 9th August 2014
Solway Park 6 pm Start. Tickets now $50
Buffet Meal, Guest Speaker and Auction
Stay the night with rooms for two $138 including a buffet breakfast. More details soon.

Radio Eketahuna 106.5 FM

1st Preseason game this Saturday 2nd August
vs. Manawatu Development. 2.30 pm Trust House Memorial Park

Tune into your car radio or live stream from our webpage.

Best if running through google chrome

Dead Ball Charlie’s Highlights of the week

A big thanks to all the volunteers on the weekend, they are some of our unsung heroes on the weekend and I know a few of them enjoyed the day immensely.
Our main man Colin Hutchby who sets up and runs the number 2 and 3 fields on finals day said “this was the best behaved crowd ever he has had to deal with – well done our supporters and teams”
If you ever wanted to see a picture of nerves on finals day – Abbo the Eketahuna Manager was beside himself when he heard the bus was running late from Eketahuna and he was already at the ground. All things that end well and I am sure he was not unhappy about the bus taking its time home.
Extra-time – hand on heart the Marty move to win their senior plate final was a cracker – 18 games in the practise and it came off like a treat – the move was an old Zinzan Brooke No 8 trick and apparently it was nicknamed “money ball” by the team.
What a real pleasure to see the Senior Reserve game of an exceptionally high standard – there is something about a Martinborough and Pioneer game and that final was great value to watch.
Finally always hard to pick but the word on the street was the crowd was close to 3,000.
Our Rugby – Just Brilliant

Auction Packages up for bids at the Wairarapa Bush Awards Evening
Platinum tickets for 2 to All Black vs. South Africa Match
Hosted at NZRU Headquarters for drinks and dinner and a
Pre-Match tour of ground, All Black changing rooms and Sky broadcasting area
Estimated value $500 (tickets alone worth $250)

The Luxury Getaway – A luxury break for 2 in Wellington including 2 nights in a Premier Studio at the waterfront Museum Hotel www.museumhotel.co.nz. Either night you can dine for 2 at Logan Brown www.loganbrown.co.nz – Wellington’s only 2 Cuisine Hat restaurant. You both will enjoy a glass of Louis Roederer Champagne with owner, Steve Logan at the bar for a chat about food, wine, and rugby, then relax at the best table in the house for delicious three course dinner comprising of premium NZ produce, and later meet the chef and have a kitchen tour. (Beverages not included, not available Saturday)

Girls Night Away – A 2 hour personal styling and makeup session for 2 with Wellington’s leading certified Image Consultant – Samantha Hannah www.samie.co , including a nights’ accommodation for 2 at the stylish Ohotel on Oriental Parade in Wellington.

The Long Lunch at the stunning Wharekauhau Country Lodge- www.wharekauhau.co.nz Enjoy a true destination dining day out. Settle in for a Long three-course lunch for 2, with a number of menu options for each course. Attentive service, fine wines, and exceptional food and after lunch stroll the expansive gardens, or relax by an open fire. (Available Monday – Saturday, Beverages not included)

The Two Legends – A bottle of 12 year old Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scottish Whiskey, signed by Sir Brian Lochore. The first legend is Bowmore, the first recorded distillery on Islay and one of the oldest in the whole of Scotland. A fine drop with the unique feature of been signed by a local legend.

Lunch with All Black and Hurricane Victor Vito at the Greenman in Wellington.

“Our Rugby – Just brilliant”

Wairarapa Bush Colts Competition
This is a new competition being run with all U21’s Players eligible to play.
From this competition a Wairarapa Bush U19 Representative team will be selected to play in the central Heartland Provinces
Selectors from NZRU will follow this competition and make selections for players to attend the NZRU U19 Tournament in Taupo in September.
Please contact Stacey Grant (RDO) on 027 391 6311 or rdo@waibush.co.nz for further details.

Round One Saturday 9th August 2014
North vs. South No1 12.30pm (Curtain Raiser to Wairarapa Bush Heartland)
City vs. Central No2 12.30pm Trust House Memorial Park

Round Two Wednesday 13th August 2014
South vs. Central
Gladstone Rugby club & North vs. City Bush Sports Pahiatua

Round Three Saturday 16th August 2014
City vs. South 1pm
Central vs North 2.30pm Carterton Rugby Club

Finals Day Saturday 23rd August 2014 Trust House Memorial Park

Coaches and Management

North : Cheyenne Thompson & Paddy Buckley, Mike Burmeister.
City : Brent Gare, Mike Harmon, Josh Gubb, Duane Poulsen
Central : Joe Harwood, Jono Hurley, Hayden Mead, Jake Ross.
Southern : Sid Tatana, Tavita Isaac

Heartland Season Kicks Off