Clive rugby side deliver the goods a week late
Clive Rugby and Sports coach Vaine Maui had to agree ... he needed today's performance from his team last week.
Had Andrew Clark Tremains Clive Rugby and Sports played like they did in today's Maddison Trophy ninth round 52-26 victory against Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical at Park Island they would not have lost 29-20 to Havelock North and probably would have secured a semifinal berth.
"Yes I was disappointed we missed out on the semifinals. But I've got over it. We've still had a good season, everyone is pretty happy and will be back again next season," Maui said.
Former All Black Sevens rep Lolagi Visinia, playing at centre, scored three tries in a backline well directed by first five-eighth Te Kahika Thompson. Captain and openside flanker Josh Kaifa and lock Donovan Mataira were inspirational in the Clive pack.
Texans manager Cyril Whitburn said his squad rested some key players for the semifinals and took a couple off at halftime. So it wasn't a surprise they conceded three quick tries in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
Openside flanker Slayde Lange-Wereta was a workaholic in his 50th appearance for Tech. First five-eighth Marty Watson and the midfield duo of second five-eighth Ted Walters and centre Zac Guildford were busy in the Texans backline.
Scorers:
Clive 52 (Lolagi Visinia 3, Nick Biss, Liam Udy-Johns, Sebastian Visinia, Anthony Wilson, Donovan Mataira tries; Sebastian Visinia 6 cons), Napier Technical 26 (Marty Watson, Perrin Manuel, Jordan Faia, Alevine Utumapu tries; Watson 3 cons). HT: Tech 21-19.
TARADALE 39 PIRATE 36
Taradale Rugby and Sports co-coach Tim Combs admitted this Tremain Field encounter was far from the ideal rehearsal for the semifinals.
"We were pretty ordinary. We struggled to get any momentum ... before the game and on the field. It was always going to be a bit clunky because of the Level Two restrictions and the positives were we got up for the win and there were no new injuries as we looked ahead to the semifinals," Combs said.
Powerful 130kg prop Lolani Faleiva, who had stints on both sides of the scrum, had a massive workrate and was Taradale's player-of-the-match. First five-eighth Cameron Robinson and veteran halfback Chris Eaton also made Combs MVP list.
Yes our boys took it to them and did us proud. We had our chances to win but missed opportunites as well as a few calls which went against us cost us ... but that's rugby," Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports assistant coach Spencer Bethell said.
Pirate tighthead prop Kelsey Miller had a storming game against his old club. Second five-eighth Ted Symes was again classy and fullback Matt Murtha had his best game of the season.
Scorers:
Taradale 39 (Majella Tufuga 2, Nathan Ramsay 2, Levi Harmon, Brad Truesdale tries; Cameron Robinson 3 cons, pen), Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 36 (Al Momoisea 2, Liam Batt, Ben Lewis, Matt Murtha, Dion Savaii tries; Zion Clarke 3 cons). HT: 19-all.
HASTINGS 40 CENTRAL 14
Winger Joeli Rauca grabbed a hattrick for Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports in this messy semifinal rehearsal at Waipukurau's Central Park.
"We had a few guys out of position and had a better second half," Hastings manager James Rosenberg explained.
Regular halfback Connor McLeod produced a player-of-the-match performance at first five-eighth. His tactical kicking was sound and he succeeded with five of his six attempts at goal.
Regular lock Emil Crichton operated well in his preferred position of openside flanker. Prop Angus McGuire and substitute No 8 Danya Tulou also made Rosenberg's MVP list.
"The score doesn't really reflect the game. We were pretty proud of the effort our boys put in," Northfuels Central manager Ian Large said.
Magpies lock-loosie Geoff Cridge had a productive second half at blindside flanker for the hosts. Openside flanker Frank Lochore was Central's player-of-the-day.
Centre Mathias Konia, who recently returned from overseas, and prop Troy McIvor were also prominent for Central.
Scorers:
Hastings Rugby and Sports 40 (Joeli Rauca 3, Connor McLeod, Fale Matamata, Ioane Ioane tries; McLeod 5 cons), Central 14 (Mathias Konia, Troy McIvor tries; Ruan De Lange 2 cons). HT: 14-0.
MAC 67 TAMATEA 8
MAC second five-eighth Alatasi Tupou scored three tries for the second consecutive week as his team scored 43 second half points for the second consecutive match during this Tremain Field romp.
Starting loosies Tiki Greening and Willy Benson were again full of authority. Tighthead prop Paula Latu was busy and Magpies first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie constructive.
Magpies frontrower Kianu Kereru-Symes and loosie Solomone Funaki provided quality impact off the pine.
Tamatea co-coach Rick Kirikiri said his troops were on the wrong end of a high penalty count on a day when the Covid19 restrictions added to the stress. Veteran prop Te Maangi Hamlin did well to complete 80 minutes while former MAC plyer Mataeus Marsh functioned well in both the pivot and halfback roles.
Fullback Taniera Miratana was gutsy.
Scorers:
MAC 67 (Alatasi Tupou 3, Roger Paewai 2, Solomone Funaki 2, Paula Latu, Larry Olive, Johnny Ika, Tupou Afungia tries; Tupou 3, Vai Kereti, Fa'alemiga Selesele cons), Tamatea 8 (Mataeus Marsh try; Ash Robinson pen). HT: 24-3.
NOBM 61 HAVELOCK 27
Centre Mark Collier also scored a hattrick during this victory for defending champions WIT Trust Napier Old Boys Marist at Tremain Field on Sunday.
NOBM coach Craig Gowler said that while his lads ball security was disappointing at times he still gave them a 7 out of 10 as they looked ahead to their semifinal next weekend. They will play Taradale and Hastings Rugby and Sports will take on Napier Technical in the other one.
Gowler's loose forward trio of No 8 Matt Gardiner and flankers, captain Chris Johnston and Will Tremain, was again cohesive and dominant. Second five-eighth Pedro Bezanilla combined well with Collier and fullback Bain Champion did well to slot all eight of his attempts at goal.
Progressive Meats Havelock North manager Richard Kinnear said NOBM deserved their victory.
"They broke us at the start and moved the ball well."
Trent Hape, who played the first half on the wing and the second at halfback, was the villagers player of the match and deserved his two tries. Havelock centre Jesse Paewai defended well and blindside flanker Ben Morgan had a massive workrate in the visiting pack.
Scorers:
Napier Old Boys Marist 61 (Mark Collier 3, Zac Donaldson 2, Michael Buckley, Pouvi Fatialofa, Alex Williams, Migao Lauano tries; Bain Champion 8 cons), Havelock North 27 (Trent Hape 2, Junior Armstrong, JJ Scales tries; Trinity Spooner-Neera 2 cons, pen). HT: 35-10.
