We hope you enjoy this look back as we look forward to many more years of recording the history of Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union. We acknowledge all the information from the NZ “Rugby Almanack” Series from the season’s 1934 through to 2020 and appreciate their hard and dedicated work in providing this detailed history. – Web Admin

With its first tally of four wins in a season since 1991, which brought sixth place in the second division, a measure of credibility was restored to Wairarapa Bush rugby in 1995. Semi-Finalists Bay of Plenty and Northland proved too strong early on but fancied Hawke’s Bay were beaten in good style and the South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury games featured individual point-scoring records by Wairarapa Bush players.

Former Wairarapa Bush halfback Graeme Anderson pursued a consistent selection policy in his first season as coach, using a small number of Wellington-based players during the championship round.

In the backs, Wairarapa Bush could hold its own with any second division team, especially on attack, and many excellent tries were scored. Outstanding was wing Colin Sullivan with seven tries in eight appearances. Second five-eighth Marty Berry was a dominant figure in all matches, whether on defence, with ball in hand or kicking for goal. His nomination as second division player of the year and inclusion in the Divisional team were just rewards for a fine season. Inside backs Mark Childs and Craig Pepperell also performed well.

The forwards found possession hard to come by in set play against mainly bigger opponents but were always competitive. Individuals worthy of mention were the loose forward trio of Darren Guildford, Mike Fleming and Elliot Fuller, whose support play and tackling were impressive; locks Graeme Smith, Richard Watt and John Kendal, who performed consistently; and Chris Berry, Graeme Cheetham and Shane Coley, who formed a competent front row.

Higher honours went to:
NZRFU President’s XV:  M. Berry

1995 Season Match Record: Played 10 : Won 4 ; Drew 1 ; Lost 5
Points : For 297  ; Against 309

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1995 {Total Games}

		NAME	POSITION	SEASON	PL
158		Bryan Edward Styles	Prop	Carterton	6
168		Martin Joseph ’Marty’ Berry	Centre, Fullback	Featherston	10
174		Christopher Francis William Berry	Prop	Featherston	10
190		Craig Noel Pepperell	Centre, Fullback, Scrumhalf	Red Star	9
197		Peter R. Bresaz	Centre	Red Star	10
200		Graham Charles Richardson	Loose Forward	Eketahuna	1
205		Robert Ihaka Rutene	Centre, Fullback	Carterton	10
209		Nicholas Andrew O’Neale	Hooker	Masterton	2
224		Mark Brendon Percy	Scrumhalf	East Coast	3
226		Daren Whana Conway Guildford	No. 8	Greytown	9
230		Jason Edward Turupa Reedy	Centre, Fullback	Red Star	3
232		Shane Clifton Coley	Prop	Masterton	9
241		Guy C. Williams	Flanker	Martinborough	1
248		John Herbert James Cummings	Loose Forward	Red Star	1
256		Peter Kirk Noble	Centre	Pioneer	4
257		Kelsey David Beales	Winger	Eketahuna	9
262		Kerry Todd Hargood	Lock	Marist	2
263		Mark Darryn Childs	First Five	Greytown	9
265		Graeme Cheetham	Hooker	Eketahuna	8
266		Gary Ian Warren	Lock	Red Star	2
267		Michael James Fleming	Flanker	Greytown	9
268		Faleono Tufuga	Lock	Pioneer	2
269		Graeme Smith	Lock	Johnsonville – Wellington RU	4
270		Richard Alan Watt	Lock, No. 8	Poneke – Wellington RU	8
271		R. Elliot Fuller	Flanker	Harlequins	6
272		Colin Ian Sullivan	Winger	Avalon – Wellington RU	8
273		John Kendal	Lock	Pioneer	6
274		Shane G. Butterick	First Five	Gladstone	1

		SCORED
	Penalty Try	1