Red's rugby brace in 200th outing
Taradale Rugby and Sports captain Andrew Gardner celebrated his 200th appearance with two tries today.
They were scored as his team maintained their unbeaten run with a 32-16 Maddison Trophy fifth round victory against Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical on club day at Tareha Recreation Reserve.
"Red's [Gardner's nickname] carries were huge. His talk and organisation was superb," Taradale co-coach Tim Combs said.
"It was a tough bruising game in the wet and we were rapt to get maximum points," Combs added.
While Gardner deserved the player-of-the-match award props Namatahi Waa and Lolani Faleiva were also prominent.
Hooker Tere Joel, prop Tim Farrell and No 8 Hannon Brighouse were influential figures in the Tech pack. First five-eighth Te Rangi Fraser marshalled his backline well.
Scorers:
Taradale 32 (Andrew Gardner 2, Lolani Faleiva, Namatahi Waa, Iakapo Mapu tries; Caleb Makene, Cameron Robinson cons; Robinson pen), Napier Technical 16 (Tere Joel try; Marty Watson 3 pens, con). HT: Tech 16-15.
CENTRAL 22 HAVELOCK NORTH 0
Northfuels Central manager Ian Large praised the manner in which his troops bounced back from a 71-7 loss to Napier Old Boys Marist last week with this club day victory.
"Things went our way in the wet conditions and the boys played well. Our forwards were dominant particularly at scrum and lineout time," Large said.
While all of the Central players deserve praise for their contributions gutsy lock William Gunson and second five-eighth James Logan were inspirational. This was the first time Central had kept Progressive Meats Havelock North scoreless.
Scorers:
Central 22 (Troy McIvor, Frank Lochore, Finau Nimatasau, Karl Lepelars tries; Ruan De Lange con), Havelock North 0. HT: 17-0.
CLIVE 14 MAC 11
Andrew Clark Tremains Clive kept their semifinal hopes alive with this Farndon Park win.
"That was another key result for us in what was a mud bog," Clive coach Vaine Maui said.
Prop Etu Tuanaki had a powerful first 40 minutes for the hosts. Blindside flanker Petera Hakiwai shone with his massive workrate. Captain and second five-eighth Sebastian Visinia was the pick of the Clive backs.
Tighthead prop Paula Latu was the best of the Enviro Clean and Restoration MAC players. Devastating on the carry, Latu, also scrummaged well. Veteran lock Everard Reid was full of authority at lineout time and loosies Tiki Greening, Willy Benson and Tupou Afungia combined well.
First five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie and centre Gideon Kautai were full of endeavour in the MAC backline.
Scorers:
Clive 14 (Liam Udy-Johns, Sebastian Visinia tries; Visinia, Tianua Poto cons ), MAC 11 (Hemi Waerea try; Lincoln McClutchie 2 pens). HT: MAC 11-7.
NOBM 49 PIRATE 0
WIT Trust's Napier Old Boys Marist's up-tempo game in the first half of this Park Island clash belied the difficult conditions.
The hosts established a 35-0 lead at halftime. Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports assistant coach Spencer Bethell said his troops displayed improvement and "a bit of ticker" in the second half.
Pirate loosehead prop Ethan Webby was busy on the carry and had a high defensive workrate. Second five-eighth Ted Symes was the best of the Pirate backs.
As the score suggests it was another cohesive team effort from the Green Machine. NOBM coach Craig Gowler had captain and No 8 Chris Johnston, blindside flanker Ricky Hayes and prop James Holbrook on his MVP list.
Scorers:
Napier Old Boys Marist 49 (Not supplied), Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 0. HT: 35-0.
You can view the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5idtejvWlI&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3D66H7SgCveV7Gy0P80YN2eP8NS6dfW8GT-RX0tdamInNjhmkN7f43QNE
HASTINGS 64 TAMATEA 5
Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports had the luxury of being able to bring three Magpies off the bench in this Bill Mathewson Park victory.
Prop Jason Long, hooker Jacob Devery and outside back Mason Emerson were all used as substitutes. Flankers Fale Matamata and Jardine Chung Ching were busy in the winning pack along with substitute No 8 Joe Taafi.
Midfielders Neria and Ausage Fomai were the pick of the backs.
Tamatea co-coaches Rick Kirikiri and Nui Bartlett were proud of the heart their troops displayed.
"The ref let the game go for 90 minutes and we only had 13 players for 80 minutes after two of our players were injured," Kirikiri explained.
Hooker Ngaiwi Hepi, lock Te Rira Rowlands and flanker Jordan Cox all made the hosts MVP list.
Scorers:
Hastings Rugby and Sports 64 (Emil Crichton, Jayden Rihia, Jordan Thompson-Dunn, Joeli Rauca, Neria Fomai, Mason Emerson, Jacob Devery, Eugene Sandilands, Fale Matamata, Jason Long tries; Connor McLeod 7 cons), Tamatea 5 (Jordan Cox try). HT: 19-0.
