Long's rugby record inspires hosts
Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby prop Jason Long couldn't have asked for a better script as he celebrated his record-breaking 139th appearance for Hastings Rugby and Sports in the province's premier club competition today.
Long, 28, who made his debut for the club in 2011 scored two tries in Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports 61-6 demolition job on Enviro Clean and Restoration MAC in a fourth round Maddison Trophy encounter at Elwood Park. Long, who has made 45 first class appearances for the Magpies, beat the previous record of 138 games held by former Magpies fullback and Hastings co-manager James Rosenberg.
"It is always a tough game against MAC who are really physical but they boys got up for it. They wanted to for our coach Sione [Kite] on his birthday and for me," Long said afterwards.
"If we can keep working hard and get better every week," we can make the top four," Long added.
Fellow prop Dennis Tapusoa and loosie Jardine Chung Ching also impressed in the cohesive Hastings pack. First five-eighth Jordan Thompson-Dunn and substitute fullback, Hurricane Danny Toala, were classy in the winning backline.
"Hastings were relentless. We couldn't convert our possession and territory into points," MAC coach Mutu Ngarimu lamented.
"We're not looking at semifinals now. We just have to focus on improvement each week," Ngrimu added.
Scorers:
Hastings Rugby and Sports 61 (Jason Long 2, Neria Fomai, Ioane Ioane, Joeli Rauca, Fale Matamata, Danya Tulou, penalty try tries; Ioane 3, Connor McLeod 2 cons; McLeod 3 pens), MAC 6 (Lincoln McClutchie 2 pens). HT: 20-6.
TARADALE 51 HAVELOCK NORTH 22
Taradale Rugby and Sports spoilt Havelock North winger Mikey Vuicakau's 100th match celebrations with this Anderson Park victory.
Vuicakau was forced from the field with an arm injury in the second half. Taradale's loose forward trio, with openside flanker Iakopo Mapu prominent, was dominant and first five-eighth Caleb Makene controlled the tempo of the game well for the unbeaten top-of-the-table Mighty Maroons.
Halfback Trent Hape and No 8 Albert Hemopo were the pick of the Havelock North players.
Scorers:
Taradale 51 (Tom Williams 2, Lakopo Mapu 2, Caleb Makene, Majella Tufuga, Lolani Faleiva tries; Cameron Robinson 5 cons, 2 pens), Havelock North 22 (Trinity Spooner-Neera, Shannan Chase, Jesse Paewai, Mikey Vuicakau tries; Spooner-Neera con). HT: 31-12.
TECH 33 TAMATEA 10
This Whitmore Park encounter was called off 20 minutes early after Tamatea's substitute forward Colin Mataira suffered a heart attack.
Tamatea manager Rick Kirikiri said club stalwart Mataira took the field 10 minutes before halftime and had the heart attack 20 minutes into the second half. He was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital.
Former All Black Zac Guildford performed well at centre in the Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical backline. Former New Zealand under-20s winger Penikolo Latu made the most of his opportunities.
Former New Zealand under-20s prop Tim Farrell had a memorable return from injury and No 8 Hannon Brighouse again had a massive workrate in the Texans pack.
Hooker Ngaiwi Hepi and centre Dennon Robinson were again among Tamatea's best players.
Scorers:
Napier Technical 33 (Zac Guildford, Hannon Brighouse, Dolan Wilkins, Jaz Reti, Marty Watson tries; Watson 4 cons), Tamatea 10 (Ash Robinson try; con, pen). HT: 33-3.
NOBM 71 CENTRAL 7
WIT Trust Napier Old Boys Marist gave first five-eighth Johnny Lauano a memorable wedding present with this Park Island drubbing.
Lauano, his two brothers Migao and Sami and head coach Craig Gowler were all unavailable for the match because of the wedding. As the score indicates it was a polished team performance from the Green Machine with flanker Ricky Hayes and lock Alex Williams full of authority in the pack.
Centre George Stratton was again consistent and Mark Collier celebrated his return to the side with 30 minutes off the pine which included stints at cente and on the wing.
Northfuels Central manager Ian Large admitted the visitors were outclassed. However Magpies prop Joel Hintz and lock Tom Parsons shone with their never-say-die approach.
Parsons has been called into the Highlanders camp and deserved a better send off.
Scorers:
Napier Old Boys Marist 71 (Ricky Hayes 2, Michael Buckley 2, Lee Moleli, Bain Champion, Zac Donaldson, Chris Johnston, George Stratton, Matt Gardner, Ryan Lindesque tries; Champion 6, Donaldson, Liam Edwards cons), Central 7 (Troy McIvor try; Ruan De Lange con). HT: 40-7.
CLIVE 38 PIRATE 5
Former All Black Sevens and Blues speedster Lolani Visinia celebrated his debut for Andrew Clark Tremains Clive with two tries in this Tamatea Park clash.
Visinia operated well at centre outside his brother Sebastian t second five-eighth. Hurricanes winger Jonah Lowe also scored two tries for the visitors. Lock Donovan Mataira had his best game of the season for Clive and No 8 Rocky Pohatu was a workaholic.
Loosehead prop Matt Martin was the pick of the Pirate players with powerful carries and a huge defensive workrate. However he was often a lone ranger. Hooker Tipene Lord and No 8 Tom Nicol also had memorable patches.
Losing midfield back Tyrone Dodd-Edwards with a serious knee injury before halftime was a massive blow for the hosts.
Scorers:
Clive 38 (Lolagi Visinia 2, Jonah Lowe 2, Sam Wong, Tianua Poto tries; Poto 4 cons), Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 5 (Gerome Naera try). HT: 19-5.
