CARTERTON have opened up a commanding nine-point advantage at the top of the Wairarapa-Bush Tui Cup premier division rugby competition.

The maroons have lost just one of their eight games and are sitting on 34pts while second-placed Marist are on 25. Interestingly Marist have won fewer games than third-placed Eketahuna, (23), four against five, but they have picked up seven bonus points, the most of any premier division side, whereas Eketahuna have managed just three.

Defending Tui Cup champions Greytown lie fourth on 21, then come Pioneer 20, Gladstone 18, East Coast 14 and Martinborough 5. There are still six series of qualifying round games to be played before the semifinalists are found so while Martinborough would need a major form reversal to get there all other sides are still in with a decent chance of making it.

This Saturday’s draw has Carterton at home to Martinborough, East Coast hosting Gladstone, Eketahuna and Marist meeting at Eketahuna and Greytown playing Pioneer at Greytown.

Pioneer and Tuhirangi continue to have a battle royal for the top spot in the senior reserve competition. Pioneer are on 37 points and Tuhirangi 36 with the bonus points again helping keep the points gap close. Tuhirangi have been the big achiever, having amassed eight bonus points to Pioneer’s five. Holding down third is Masterton Red Star with 31, followed by Marist and Greytown 30, Featherston 19, Puketoi 18, Martinborough 17, Pioneer Old Boys 13, East Coast 5, Carterton 4 and Gladstone 2.

– Wairarapa Times-Age