Rugby champs character saluted.
If character was the main ingredient required Napier Old Boys Marist would go close to retaining Hawke's Bay's Maddison Trophy premier club rugby title this season.
"We've got a lot of new players and are still building but you're right I can't fault our character," WIT Trust NOBM coach Craig Gowler said after his troops entertaining 36-33 third round win against Andrew Clark Tremains Clive at Farndon Park today.
Despite playing with 14 men for the final 10 minutes after flanker Pouvi Fatialofa was red carded after his second high tackle NOBM were able to hold the hosts out during the final eight minutes of assaults close to the line.
Gowler had every right to heap kudos on his captain and No 8 Chris Johnston, lock Alec Williams and prop Lee Moleli. Veteran second five-eighth Migao Lauano displayed the benefits of his vast experience when used as a substitute.
Clive coach Vaine Maui praised the manner in which his troops fought back from a 26-0 deficit to tie the score at 26-all in the first half. Magpies and Hurricanes lock Isaia Walker-Leawere led the host pack by example from No 8. Hooker Petera Kahui-Ariki shone with his workrate for the riversiders.
Captain and second five-eighth Sebastian Visinia was the best of the Clive backs in a game which saw referee Stu Catley produce a polished display.
Scorers:
Napier Old Boys Marist 36 (Michael Buckley 2, Pouvi Fatialofa 2, Sami Lauano, Migao Lauano tries; Bain Champion 3 cons), Clive 33 (Duff Penitito 2, Rocky Pohatu, Kereama Peni, Isaia Walker-Leawere tries; Tianua Poto 4 cons). HT: 26-all.
MAC 32 TECH 31
Enviro Clean and Restoration MAC posted their first win of the season with this thrilling Flaxmere Park victory.
"We made a cracker of a start and led 24-10 at halftime. But poor discipline from us allowed Tech to get back into it and they almost snatched it. We had two players yellow carded and playing with 14 players for 60 minutes made it tough," MAC head coach Mutu Ngarimu explained.
Captain and flanker Willie Benson, No 8 Solomone Funaki and lock Everard Reid were workaholics in the host pack. First five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie and second five-eighth Jackson Waerea operated well in the MAC backlne.
Former Baby Blacks winger Penikolo Latu scored a hattrick for Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical. His manager Cyril Whitburn said the two bonus points the Texans secured could prove valuable later in the season.
Locks Trent Boswell-Wakefield and Jazz Reti were inspirational in the Tech pack.
Scorers:
MAC 32 (Johnny Ika, Tom Iosefo, Roger Paewai, Paul Bickle tries; Lincoln McClutchie 3 cons, 2 pens), Napier Technical 31 (Penikolo Latu 3, Mark Braidwood, Xavier McCorkindale tries; Marty Watson 3 cons). HT: 24-10.
TARADALE 54 CENTRAL 21
Superb impact off the subs bench saw Taradale Rugby and Sports dominate the final quarter of this Waipukurau encounter.
Northfuels Central trailed 19-14 at halftime and led 21-19 after 60 minutes. Taradale co-coach Tim Combs said substitute pivot Brad Truesdale impressed with his directional play.
Magpies fullback Caleb Makene was classy when switched from first five-eighth to his regular role.
Prop Jacob Baker had a memorable debut. New Zealand Sevens squad member Ollie Sapsford was dangerous as a substitute second five-eighth and wingers Grayson Ewart and Majella Tufuga made the most of their opportunities.
Central manager Ian Large was proud of the first 60 minutes from the hosts. Veteran hooker Warwick Slingsby scored a run-away try. Flankers Frank Lochore and Jason Cutbush combined well with No 8 Finau Nimatasau who was again the pick of the Central players.
Scorers:
Taradale Rugby and Sports 54 (Caleb Makene 3, Jacob Baker, Hemaua Samasoni, Majella Tufuga, Ollie Sapsford, Trent Randall tries; Brad Truesdale 4, Cameron Robinson 2, Makene cons), Central 21 (Warwick Slingsby, James Logan, Finau Nimatasau tries; Ruan De Lange 3 cons). HT: 19-14.
HAVELOCK NORTH 73 TAMATEA 20
Progressive Meats Havelock North manager Richard Kinnear was disappointed with his troops second half effort in this Bill Mathewson Park clash.
But to be fair the damage was done in the first half when the villagers established a 47-6 lead. Lock Filipe Kuruvoli and flanker Willie McGoon were powerful carriers in a pack which was led well by captain and loosehead prop Callum Hardie.
Tamatea co-coach Rick Kirikiri was proud of the manner in which the hosts fought back in the second half.
"Because of work commitments and injuries we only had 16 players. But we were competitive until the end," Kirikiri said.
Hooker Ngaiwi Hepi and No 8 Ivan Bellamy were again prominent in the Tamatea pack. Second five-eighth, Jordarn Harmer, who scored two tries, and centre Dennon Robinson were enterprising in the hosts backline.
Scorers:
Havelock North 73 (Anzelo Tuitavuki 2, Mikey Vuicakau 2, Matt Hill, Ben Morgan, Kalin Paewai, Tony Lamborn, Howard Lole, Matt Phillips, Will McGoon tries; Hill 9 cons), , Tamatea 20 (Jordarn Harmer 2 tries; Ash Robinson 2 pens, 2 cons). HT: 47-6.
HASTINGS 44 PIRATE 5
Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports ran in eight tries in this Elwood Park romp.
Flanker Emil Crichton, who scored two tries, was again inspirational for the hosts. Halfback Connor McLeod was probably wishing he had his father, former Magpies first five Ross McLeod’s reliable boot, converting just two of the eight tries.
However he was influential in the game directing the team all over the park and being involved in several of the tries. Centre Mason Emerson was again solid in the winning backline.
Pirates scored a late try to winger Matt Murtha but struggled to get minutes in their attacking zone.
Hurricanes and Magpies prop Pouri Rakete-Stones scrummaged well and made several barnstorming runs.
Scorers:
Hastings Rugby and Sports 44 (Emil Crichton 2, Jason Long, Jacob Devery, Jayden Rihia, Jordan Thompson-Dunn, Neria Fomai, Joe Taafi tries; Connor McLeod 2 cons). Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 5 (Matt Murtha try). HT: 29-0.
