Match Report: Carterton vs Gladstone

By Andrew Dunford

Carterton 48 (Greg Gouws, Fiula Tameilau, Trent Hopwood, Isireli Biumaiwai, Jarrod Woods, Logan Wakefield, Daryl Pickering tries; Ben Brooking 5 conversions, penalty goal) Gladstone 14.

Carterton hosted neighbours Gladstone for the Desmond Cup on a beautiful autumn day, knowing qualification for the Lane Penn Cup final was still possible but out of their hands after last week’s defeat.

Ben Brooking settled home nerves by slotting an early penalty goal from close range, then a slick passing move involving Brooking and Aseri Waqa put Trent Hopwood into space down the left wing, the latter offloading to debutant Greg Gouws who ran 20 metres to score.

Brooking’s sideline conversion gave Carterton a 10-0 cushion after 15 minutes. The dose was repeated after 21 minutes, this time Fiula Tameilau breaking tackles to touch down in the left corner and Brooking delivering another pinpoint conversion for 17-0.

Gladstone enjoyed some ascendancy in the second quarter and scored a converted try to make the half time score 17-7.

Debutant replacement number eight Isireli Buimaiwai made an immediate impact on 53 minutes, storming through five players and setting up another left flank raid by Tameilau which resulted in Hopwood scoring in the corner for 22-7. Buimaiwai then scored the next try himself off the back of an attacking scrum to make the match safe at 29-7 after 60 minutes.

Gladstone scored from close range after 68 minutes, but this spurred Carterton to finish with three more tries in the last ten minutes. Jarrod Woods and Logan Wakefield were both sent to the try line by moments of Waqa brilliance - the latter after an outrageous flip pass through the legs - before captain Daryl Pickering rounded out a 48-14 victory by crossing from the base of the ruck on full time.

A pleasing scoreline for the men in Maroon, although the eventual margin of victory was a bit flattering.

Logan Wakefield put in an outstanding 80 minutes, securing lineout ball, tackling everything in sight and turning the ball over. Zac Wakefield was similarly busy in his 50 minutes, also tackling strongly and securing several turnovers. Replacement number eight Isireli Buimaiwai carried strongly in a promising debut and Inia Katia appeared at times to be playing in both the backs and forwards at the same time. In the backs, Ben Brooking used his wide passing skill to good effect and kicked brilliantly at goal, Aseri Waqa was involved in the build-up to several tries, Fiula Tameilau gave a busy performance at centre and Trent Hopwood on the left wing made a number of good runs.

In the reserve grade Carterton scored an early try but fell away in the second half as Gladstone ran out 26-7 winners.

Next week Carterton faces Marist in the Lane Penn Cup finals day at Memorial Park.