Yet again it was a very slow start from the team in wet and muddy conditions and it wasn't long before we found ourselves down 12 to nil with Gladstone scoring two tries. A penalty by Tipene Haira got Carterton on the scoreboard at the 35 minute mark, but this was matched by Gladdy soon after. Right on half-time we found ourselves on the Gladstone line and a rolling maul saw Joe Harwood crash over for a timely try. Half-time score 15- 10 to Gladstone.

Whether it was the half-time coaches talk ( not to be printed in this family forum ) or the magic qualities of Steve Hurley's water, but the second half was all Carterton. Wave after wave of attack had tries scored and a Gladstone team that was dominant in the first half had no answers in this half. Tries to Charlie Brown (2), Matt Harrison, Jono Hurley, and Brock Price along with conversions to Tipene Haira (3), Cody Whittaker and a penalty to Tipene Haira saw the final score 44 to 15 to Carterton.

These slow starts are starting to take their toll on the management team with more grey hair evident than there was at the start of the season. The team needs to start each game in the same way in that they are finishing.

Player of the day points went to:

1 point to Joe Harwood

2 points to Lance Stevenson

3 points to Johnie McFadzean