• Buckley bags four tries for NOBM

Buckley bags four tries for NOBM

Napier Old Boys Marist winger Michael Buckley's four-try haul had tongues wagging after yesterday's third round in Hawke's Bay's Maddison Trophy premier club rugby competition.

The haul for Buckley (pictured above earlier this season, photo Chris Kiely) came as the Green Machine bounced back from the previous weekend's Challenge Shield defeat to Taradale with a convincing 49-22 win over Napier Technical at Whitmore Park. Another highlight for the visitors was the successful return from a shoulder injury for Magpies loosie Will Tremain who played the final quarter and celebrated the occasion with a 70 metre run away try.

NOBM head coach Ellery Wilson was also impressed with the contributions from three of his squad's youngsters, centre Sonny Lilo, lock Boris Van Bruchem and hooker Reilly Hannon.

This victory took some gloss off Texans prop Tere Joel's 50th match celebrations. The consistent Joel (pictured below) was the best of the hosts forwards in a pack which was out played.

 
 
 

Fullback Ben Lewis, who scored two tries, first five-eighth Tamati Samuels and winger Scott Mogford had memorable moments in the Tech backline.

"We had the wind in the first half but didn't get going. That was our worst first half of the season," Tech manager Cyril Whitburn lamented.

Scorers:
Napier Old Boys Marist 49 (Michael Buckley 4, Sonny Lilo, Pouvi Fatialofa, Will Tremain tries; Bain Champion tries; Champion 2, Jonty Stewart cons; Champion pen), Napier Technical 22 (Ben Lewis 2, Jayden Stok, Kyle Corneilsen tries; Sheridan Rangihuna con). HT: 27-12.

                    TARADALE 36 CENTRAL 5
Nash Cup and Challenge Shield holders Taradale Rugby and Sports enhanced their favourites' tag for the Maddison Trophy with this club day win at the Tareha Recreation Reserve.

"We were a bit clunky in the first half when Central played well and put us under pressure. We got on top during the last 30 minutes with a good effort in wet and slippery conditions," Taradale co-coach Tim Combs recalled.

Chiefs prop Joe Apikotoa and fellow prop Lolani Faleiva were among the subs who provided quality impact. Centre Hemaua Samasoni had his best game of the season while promising loosehead prop Jayden Walker battled well against Magpies tighthead Joel Hintz.

While Central manager Ian Large heaped kudos on Taradale's big and strong ball carriers he said the score didn't reflect how well the visitors played. Hintz and fellow prop Tui Kuru had massive workrates.

Veteran No 8 Warwick Slingsby operated well at hooker after Max Fryatt left the field with an injury in the first minute. First five-eighth Harry Godfrey and second five-eighth Tate Harte were the pick of the Central backs.

Scorers:
Taradale Rugby and Sports 36 (Iakopo Mapu 2, Josh Eden-Whaitiri, Cam Robinson, Majella Tufuga, Hemaua Samasoni tries; Brad Truesdale 2, Robinson cons), Central Rugby and Sports 5 (David Parker try). HT: 7-0.

                       CLIVE 25 MAC 21
Clive Rugby and Sports spoilt MAC's club day celebrations with this Flaxmere Park victory.

Captain and openside flanker Josh Kaifa led the visiting pack by example. Fellow flanker Jacob Broderick had a memorable first starting XV appearance. 
Hurricanes outside back Lolagi Visinia had powerful shifts in both midfield positions.

Scorers:
Clive Rugby and Sports 25 (Trent Randell, Anthony Wilson, Lolagi Visinia tries; Tianua Poto 2 cons, dropped goal), MAC 21 (Not supplied). HT: 14-7.

                     HASTINGS 31 TAMATEA 5

Defending champions Hastings Rugby and Sports joined Taradale as the only unbeaten teams with his Elwood Park win.

Three tries in the second quarter from the hosts was the turning point. The hosts goal line defence was impressive.

Lock Jessie Lesa-Sipaia and fullback Mason Emerson were outstanding for Hastings. Flanker Eugene Sandilands, prop Angus McGuire and winger Johnny Saifiti also made the Hastings coaching staff's MVP list.

As the score indicates it was Tamatea Rugby and Sports worst performance of the season. Tighthead prop Mason Kean and hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes were prominent in the visiting pack while first five-eighth Shamara Brooks was the best of the Tamatea backs.

Scorers:
Hastings Rugby and Sports 31 (Mason Emerson, Ioane Ioane, Jordan Thompson-Dunn, Xavier Hill, Jacob Devery tries; Danny Toala 2, Connor McLeod cons), Tamatea Rugby and Sports 5 (Jimi Harris try). HT: 24-0.