• Rugby champs bounce back

Rugby champs bounce back

It took a last minute try from substitute loosie Will Tremain for defending champions Napier Old Boys Marist to post their first win of the season in Hawke's Bay's premier club rugby competition today.

Tremain's try secured WIT Trust NOBM an 18-17 victory over Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports at Tremain Park which is named after Tremain's grandfather and Magpies and All Black legend, the late Kel Tremain.

"I'm stoked. It was a good way to bounce back from last week's loss to Tech and to do it here in front of the home crowd was pretty special," Tremain said after the round two Maddison Trophy encounter.

The Magpie was happy with how he is progressing after recovering from a shoulder injury. Experienced halfback Ellery Wilson shone with his option taking during his 49 minutes of action.

Hastings did well to recover from a 10-3 deficit and establish a 17-13 lead with five minutes remaining. The visitors scrum functioned well and locks Jesse Lesa-Sipaia and Emil Crichton were workaholics.

Second five-eighth Neria Fomai and halfback Connor McLeod operated well in a cohesive Hastings backline.

Scorers:

Napier Old Boys Marist 18 (Will Tremain, Ellery Wilson tries; Bain Champion 2 pens, con), Hastings Rugby and Sports 17 (Jesse Lesa-Sipaia, Jacob Devery tries; Connor McLeod 2 cons, pen). HT: 10-3.

Taradale 60 Tamatea 0

Experienced Taradale Rugby and Sports midfield back Nathan Ramsay celebrated his 100th appearance for the Mighty Maroons with a try in this Tareha Recreation Reserve encounter.

However it was promising winger Majella Tufuga who had tongues wagging the most at the final whistle. A loose forward for the club's Colts team last year, Tufuga scored four tries for the hosts.

"We placed a big emphasis on our defence in the buildup to the match and it was pleasing to keep Tamatea to zero," Taradale co-coach Tim Combs said.

Blindside flanker Josh Eden-Whaitiri produced a player-of-the-match display for the hosts. Fullback Cameron Robinson joined Tufuga as the pick of Taradale backs.

Substitute lock Jamie Haronga, hooker Ngaiwi Hepi and No 8 Ivan Bellamy were tireless workers in the Tamatea pack.

Former Bay of Plenty winger Dennon Robinson was the best of the Tamatea backs playing at centre.

Scorers:

Taradale 60 (Majella Tufuga 4,Angelo Mufana, Josh Eden-Whaitiri, Nathan Ramsay, Hemaua Samasoni, Cam Robinson, Toby Single tries; Robinson 5 cons), Tamatea 0. HT: 38-0.

Clive 15 Central 12

Chiefs and Magpies utility back Tiaan Falcon was classy for Andrew Clark Tremains Clive in this Farndon Park victory.

Playing at fullback, Falcon, set up both of the riversiders tries which were scored by winger Duff Penitito and converted the matchwinning try from out wide. His speed, link play and dazzling footwork impressed spectators.

Prop Kereama Peni, substitute halfback Bronson Hokianga and first five-eighth Tianua Poto were also prominent for the hosts.

Northfuels Central were unlucky not to win as they dominated for long periods according to manager Ian Large. Tighthead prop Joel Hintz, No 8 Finau Nimatasau and hooker Max Fryatt were all inspirational in the Central pack.

Second five-eighth Zac Simpson was again the best of the Central backs.

Scorers:
Clive 15 (Duff Penitito 2 tries; Tiaan Falcon con; Tianua Poto pen), Central 12 (Tom Parsons, Ruan De Lange tries; Braydon Hardwidge con). HT: Central 12-8.

Havelock North 30 MAC 27

Progressive Meats Havelock North gave their supporters a memorable club day with this Anderson Park win.

Key architects for the villagers included first five-eighth Trinity Spooner-Neera, winger Anzelo Tuitavuki and No 8 Albert Hemopo.

MAC displayed improved fitness levels on previous seasons. Busy No 8 Solompone Funaki deserved his two tries and the visitors halfback-first five-eighth combination of Johnny Ika and Lincoln McClutchie functioned well.
Scorers:
Havelock North 30 (Shannan Chase, Anzelo Tuitavuki, Jesse Paewai, Joe Walding-Karaitiana tries; Trinity Spooner-Neera 2 cons, 2 pens), MAC 27 (Solomone Funaki 2, Johnny Ika tries; Lincoln McClutchie 3 cons, 2 pens). HT: 15-14.

Tech 29 Pirate 26

Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports assistant coach Spencer Bethell heaped kudos on his team's improvement after this Whitmore Park defeat.

"We had a slow start but during the last 10 to 15 minutes we were all over them. There was a big improvement from last week particularly with the attitude," Bethell said.

Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical manager Cyril Whitburn was rapt his troops secured the maximum five competition points. Regular forward Logan Ede shone on the wing for the Texans. First five-eighth Tamati Samuels and No 8 Hannon Brighouse were others to shine for the hosts.

Second five-eighth Tyrone Dodd-Edwards impressed in the Pirate backline. Hooker Tipene Lord and No 8 Tom Nicol had massive workrates in the Pirate pack.

Scorers:

Napier Technical 29 (Jordan Faia, Logan Ede, Hannon Brighouse, Ted Walters tries; Marty Watson 3 cons, pen), Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 26 (Ben Lewis, Gerome Naera, Zion Clarke tries; Clarke 2, Liam Batt 2 cons; Clarke pen). HT: 21-12.