2010 Wairarapa Bush Championship Winners

31 July 2010 Championship Final - Masterton Red Star

All week there had been huge media attention on this game and neither team wanted to take the title of favourites into the final. The day provided us with fine dry conditions and Memorial Park in Masterton was full of expectant supporters from both sides.

The game kicked off with Carterton immediately on attack and it wasn't long before the ball moved across field with Jono Hurley providing the extra man in the backline, he drew the final defender before off loading to Charlie Brown for the first try to be scored in the corner. The conversion was wide of the mark. More attacking opportunities presented themselves to Carterton, but it wasn't until the fifteen minute mark that a short pass from Joe Harwood put Tommy Harmon into a gap. Tommy bumped off a couple of defenders before quick ball from the ensuring ruck was moved to the left wing where Lance Stevenson finished off to score in the corner. Again the conversion was wide of the mark. Masterton Red Star began to gain territorial momentum, but luckily for Carterton a number of penalty attempts were missed in a day that both teams goal kickers left their boots at home.

Half-time score 10 - 0 to Carterton.

The second half had Masterton Red Star firmly on attack and it was only resolute defence from the entire Carterton team that stopped any scoring being made. Twenty minutes into the half and with three-quarters of the game gone Justin Lett popped a box kick onto the half way line close to the touch line. The groans from the crowd suggested that this kick was heading out on the full, but in a display of individualism Brock Price leapt into the air to pluck the ball from going over the touch line, turned past the lone defender and scored Carterton's third try. The conversion missed, but Carterton was up 15 - 0. More solid defence for the rest of the half denied Masterton Red Star any points and the final whistle signalled Carterton as the 2010 Wairarapa Bush Senior A Champions. A superb effort and reward for a team that showed their potential early in the season and maintained their high standards. Congratulations to the players, Coaches and Management team.

Further photos from the final are contained in the website gallery.