Taradale Rugby and Sports were forced to come from behind to retain the Challenge Shield in today's fourth round of Hawke's Bay's Maddison Trophy premier club competition.

Playing with 14 men for most of the second half after flanker Thomas Eden was red-carded, Taradale, trailed Napier Technical 29-28 with 11 minutes remaining at Tareha Recreation Reserve before outstanding second five-eighth Kienan Higgins (pictured above, photo Chris Kiely) scored a late try to secure a 33-29 victory for the hosts who also hold the Nash Cup.

It was a winning 50th match for Taradale first five-eighth Brad Truesdale who kicked four conversions from five attempts at goal. Powerful prop Lolani Faleiva and No 8 Iakopo Mapu were again prominent in the host pack.

Napier Technical deserve praise for their gutsy challenge. Regular outside back Kyle Corneilsson operated well at halfback in the absence of former Baby Black Sheridan Rangihuna who was a late withdrawal with a groin strain.

Fullback Ben Lewis, a former national title-winning beach relay teammate of Corneilsson, deserved his two tries. Former Magpies prop Mark Braidwood was inspirational in the Texans pack and scored a cracker of a try.

Promising No 8 Xavier McCorkindale again had a massive workrate and also proved he was a more than handy goalkicker with two conversions from three attempts.

Scorers:
Taradale Rugby and Sports  33 (Hemaua Samasoni, Gene Syminton, Iakopo Mapu, Angelo Mufana, Kienan Higgins tries; Brad Truesdale 4 cons), Napier Technical 29 (Ben Lewis 2, Wesley Akeripa, Mark Braidwood, Tere Joel tries; Xavier McCorkindale 2 cons). HT: 14-5.

HASTINGS 29 NOBM 26
Defending champions Hastings Rugby and Sports joined Taradale at the top of the points table with this Park Island victory.

The unbeaten visitors win took some of the gloss off the Green Machine's club day celebrations which also included the 21st birthday of the club's Tremain Field clubrooms.

"We don't win too many games here so to get the maximum five competition points was pretty special," Hastings manager James Rosenberg said.

He heaped kudos on his team's defensive effort particularly during the final minutes when they held the hosts out after NOBM turned down three points and went for the corner. However, Rosenberg said his lads will be aiming to improve their exit plays and discipline during the coming weeks.

Loosehead prop Jason Long had his best outing of the season for Hastings with powerful carries and scrummaging. Openside flanker Fale Matamata was again a workaholic in the winning pack.

Winger Johnny Saifiti, who scored two tries, and fullback Mason Emerson were enterprising Hastings backs.

In his first game back from a lengthy injury spell No 8 Hannon Brighouse joined blindside flanker Logan Ede as the best of the hosts starting forwards. Loosehead prop James Holbrook and openside flanker Will Tremain impressed with their contributions off the subs bench.

Second five-eighth Paul Bickle's defensive work for the hosts got a tick from head coach Ellery Wilson. First five-eighth Bain Champion (pictured above, photo ECR Photography) scored 16 points for NOBM with a try, three penalties and a conversion.  

Scorers:
Hastings Rugby and Sports 29 (Johnny Saifiti 2, Ausage Fomai, Jacob Devery tries; Connor McLeod 3 cons, pen), Napier Old Boys Marist 26 (Bain Champion, Josh McIntyre, Duff Penitito tries; Champion 3 pens, con). HT: 17-14.

MAC 29 TAMATEA 12
MAC posted their first win in the competition with this Flaxmere Park victory.

"We've finally got something to smile about. Like us, Tamatea always looks forward to this game. They are the big improvers this season and we had to be on our game to beat them ... it was a top team effort particularly at set-piece time," MAC manager Anthony Morley said afterwards.

Johnny Ika (pictured above) was classy in both the fullback and halfback positions. Tighthead prop Paula Latu (pictured below), captain and hooker Willy Benson and locks Everard Reid and Larry Olive provided plenty of grunt to the winning pack.

Soft turnovers let Tamatea down. Hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes and prop Manahi Goulton were workaholics in the Tamatea engine room.

Halfback Shamara Brooks and winger Elijah Mataira were the pick of the Tamatea backs.

Scorers:
MAC 29 (Paula Latu 2, Roger Paewai, Johnny Ika, Maika Fehoko tries; Zedekiah Awa 2 cons), Tamatea Rugby and Sports 12 (Manahi Goulton, Elijah Mataira tries; Ash Robinson con). HT: 17-7.

CLIVE 47 CENTRAL 36
As the score suggests this encounter at Waipukurau's Central Park was an entertaining spectacle.

Winger Anzelo Tuitavuki, who scored two tries, and second five-eighth Jayden Falcon were adventurous Clive backs. Lock Donovan Mataira led the visiting pack by example.

Central manager Ian Large had every right to be proud of the manner in which his troops battled back from a 28-3 halftime deficit to trail 42-36 with five minutes remaining. Busy No 8 Tomo Fogarty deserved his two tries and regular prop Tui Kuru impressed in his first outing at hooker.

New Zealand under-20s squad member Harry Godfrey was again classy at first five-eighth and the midfield combo of Zac Simpson and Tate Harte functioned well.

Scorers:
Clive Rugby and Sports 47 (Anzelo Tuitavuki 2, Tianua Poto, Anthony Wilson, Josh Kaifa, Trent Hape, Nick Agnew tries; Poto 6 cons), Central Rugby and Sports 36 (Tomo Fogarty 2, Tui Kuru, Harry Godfrey, Warwick Slingsby tries; Godfrey 4 cons, pen). HT: 28-3.