Winning 100th for Hastings rugby utility back
Hastings Rugby and Sports premier utility back Ausage Fomai had a memorable 100th appearance in an unfamiliar position today.
"I enjoyed it at first five-eighth but I don't know about another 80 minutes there again," regular midfield back Fomai said after his team's 35-29 Maddison Trophy eighth round victory against Napier Technical at Elwood Park.
One of four brothers, Tivaini, Neria and Feko are the others, to play for the team Fomai, 31, made his debut for Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports in 2012. He will be back again next season to play alongside Magpie Neria in his 100th.
Fomai, who played for MAC earlier in his career, set up a couple of early tries including one for player-of-the-match Neria. Loosehead prop Jason Long and openside flanker Fale Matamata were others to make manager James Rosenberg's MVP list.
Halfback Connor McLeod did well to convert all five of the hosts tries.
Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical manager Cyril Whitburn said his troops did well to secure a bonus point after trailing 21-0 at halftime. Former All Black Zac Guildford, at centre, and Ted Walters at second five-eighth combined well in the midifield for the visitors while props Tim Farrell and Perrin Manuel had massive workrates.
Scorers:
Hastings Rugby and Sports 35 (Neria Fomai, Danny Toala, Mason Emerson, Jayden Rihia, Emil Crichton tries; Connor McLeod 5 cons), Napier Technical 29 (Tim Farrell, Zac Guildford, Pevelise Faumuina tries; Marty Watson 4 cons, 2 pens). HT: 21-0.
TARADALE 23 NOBM 12
Taradale Rugby and Sports co-coach Tim Combs described this home win as a clunky one with several yellow cards.
However he was rapt his troops won the second half 3-0 playing into the wind. Captain and lock Andrew Gardner produced another player-of-the-day display and again provided a cool head in pressure situations.
Blindside flanker and lineout maestro Josh Eden-Whaitiri and halfback Humphrey Sheild were others to make Combs MVP list.
While WIT Trust Napier Old Boys Marist coach Craig Gowler admitted Taradale played well he pointed out his players were often confused with the interpretations of reeferee Tipene Cottrell who was in charge of his 50th premier match.
Lock Alex Wiliams, prop Lee Moleli and captain and No 8 Chris Johnston were all prominent in the NOBM pack. Halfback Ellery Wilson again shone with his direction.
Scorers:
Taradale 23 (Namatahi Waa, Caleb Makene, Dylan Ramsay tries; Makene con, Cameron Robinson 2 pens), Napier Old Boys Marist 12 (Chris Johnston, Lee Moleli tries; Bain Champion con). HT: 20-12.
PIRATE 45 TAMATEA 42
Tamatea co-coach Rick Kirikiri reckoned his side had every right to question the legality of Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports match-winning try in this Bill Mathewson Park encounter.
"Up until then it was a good spirited game. Ash deserved better in his 50th match for us," Kirikiri said referring to first five-eighth Ash Robinson who converted all six of the hosts tries.
Midfielders Mataeus Marsh and Dennon Robinson, who scored two tries each, halfback Tawhiri Lambert and hooker Ngaiwi Lambert were among Tamatea's key architects.
Prop Dion Savaii scored Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports match-winning try. Lock Rangatira Fox had his best match of the season in the winning engine room. Flanker Damien Scott and second five-eighth Ted Symes were others to impress for the winners.
Scorers:
Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 45 (Ben Lewis, Matt Murtha, Damien Scott, Dan Boone, Gerome Naera, Ted Symes, Dion Savaii tries; Zion Clarke 5 cos), Tamatea 42 (Dennon Robinson 2, Mataeus Marsh 2, Ivan Bellamy, Arama Kite tries; Ash Robinson 6 cons).HT: 21-all.
HAVELOCK NTH 29 CLIVE 20
Progressive Meats Havelock North ended Clive Rugby and Sports semifinal hopes with this Farndon Park victory.
"It was one of those games which could have gone either way but we were fortunate to turn with the wind behind us," Havelock North manager Richard Kinnear explained.
Busy No 8 Albert Hemopo, who scored two tries, prop Callum Hardie and lock Ben Morgan were full of authority in the winning pack. Winter Trent Hape made the most of his limited opportunities in a backline well directed by first five-eighth Trinity Spooner-Neera. Fullback Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong displayed maturity beyond his year when he opted to slot what proved to be a crucial dropped goal.
Missed opportunities proved to be the downfall for Andrew Clark Tremains Clive Rugby and Sports. Lock Donovan Mataira and No 8 Liam Udy-Johns again impressed in the host pack while fullback Nick Biss was enterprising out wide.
Scorers:
Havelock North 29 (Albert Hemopo 2, Trent Hape, Jesse Paewai tries; Trinity Spooner-Neera 3 cons; Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong dropped goal), Clive 20 (Sebastian Visinia, Lolagi Visinia, Liam Udy-Johns tries; Sebastian Visinia pen, con). HT: 12-all.
MAC 69 CENTRAL 26
In-form second five-eighth Alatasi Tupou scored 27 points for Enviro Clean and Restoration MAC in this Flaxmere Park win.
Tupou scored three tries and kicked six conversions for the host who produced a polished team effort. Powerful prop Paula Latu also scored three tries for a side which could afford to bring three players with first class experience, No 8 Solomone Funaki, prop Kianu Kereru-Symes and flanker Falemiga Selesele off the subs bench.
MAC manager Anthony Morley heaped kudos on referee Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri for his ability to let the game flow. Prop Joel Hintz and flankers Jason Cutbush and Frank Lochore were among Northfuels Central's best forwards and enterprising centre Karl Lepelaars was the pick of the backs.
Scorers:
MAC 69 (Alatasi Tupou 3, Paula Latu 3, Tiki Greening, Tupou Afungia, Gideon Kautai, Roger Paewai, Larry Olive tries; Tupou 6, Jackson Waerea cons), Central 26 (Jason Cutbush, Warwick Slingsby, Tom Beachen, Nick White tries; Ruan De Lange 3 cons ). HT: 26-14.
