If you thought Tamatea Rugby and Sports had won today's feature Hawke's Bay Maddison Trophy sixth round premier club rugby clash after watching prop Tane Cooper's post-game celebrations apologies from Cooper.

"We're still winners because we are in the top eight. We're still having a meke as season," Cooper said after Tamatea were beaten 32-19 by Clive Rugby and Sports in the main match of Tamatea's Club Day celebrations at Bill Mathewson Park.

Like lock Dan Paku, Cooper, 35, played his 100th match for the hosts today. Cooper celebrated his milestone with the hosts final try which he converted.

"That's two from two for my conversions this season. The last one was in our Nash Cup win against Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports which was crucial in us qualifying for the Maddison Trophy round," Cooper explained.

"I played 80 minutes last week and 80 this week. I was rapt to score against the old club with all the family here," Cooper said referring to the fact he played for Clive's 2003 Hawke's Bay Colts Championship winning team.

He made his premier debut for Tamatea in 2005 and was the team's player-coach in 2015. Cooper is likely to be back playing for the team again next season. 

Clive Rugby and Sports first five-eighth Tiaan Falcon (pictured above, photos Chris Kiely) and his Tamatea counterpart Lincoln McClutchie both displayed their class. Don't be surprised if Falcon starts at fullback and McClutchie at pivot when the Magpies host North Otago in a Ranfurly Shield defence on Wednesday night.

Lock Donovan Mataira, Hawke's Bay's 2019 Club Rugby Player of the Year, produced a player-of-the-match display for Clive. Winger Anzelo Tuitavuki made the most of his limited opportunities and deserved his two tries.

Halfback Trent Hape was impressive during the second half. All of the Tamatea players deserve praise for their never-say-die approach.

Busy No 8 Jimi Harris (pictured above celebrating his early try) and hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes joined McClutchie as their standouts. 

Scorers:
Clive Rugby and Sports 32 (Anzelo Tuitavuki 2, Josh Greening, Petera Kahui-Ariki, Tianua Poto tries; Poto 2 cons, pen), Tamatea Rugby and Sports 19 (Jimi Harris, Lincoln McClutchie, Tane Cooper tries; McClutchie, Cooper cons). HT: 8-5.

                      NOBM 52 CENTRAL 22
Veteran openside flanker Pouvi Fatialofa produced a player-of-the-match display for Napier Old Boys Marist in this victory at Waipukurau's Central Park.

Fatialofa's defensive work rate was phenomenal. Promising lock Boris Van Bruchem shone with his lineout work and carries.

Fullback Liam Edwards and winger Michael Buckley shone in the Green Machine's backline.

"Central's set piece play was strong and that made it tough for us to play our game so full credit to them," NOBM coach Ellery Wilson said.

Lock William Gunson, first five-eighth Tate Harte and flanker Tomo Fogarty all made Central Rugby and Sports manager Ian Large's MVP list. Large also praised the quality impact flanker Jason Cutbush, lock David Parker and prop Tui Kuru provided off the subs bench.

Scorers:
Napier Old Boys Marist 52 (Pedro Bezanila 2, Michael Buckley, Paul Lapa, Ricky Hayes, Pouvi Fatialofa, Johnny Faleiva, Liam Edwards tries; Jonty Stewart 4, Bain Champion 2 cons), Central Rugby and Sports 22 (Max Fryatt, Frank Lochore, penalty try tries; Tate Harte con, pen). HT: 31-10.

                 TECH 31  MAC 29
"We had a Band Aid team and our backs were against the wall. But we displayed lots of ticker and hung in there to secure the win."

These were the words of Napier Technical head coach Kerry Lewis after this Flaxmere Park victory.

"MAC had a big pack which meant it was a torrid battle for us at scrum time. But everywhere else we matched or bettered them," Lewis explained.

His team played without experienced frontrowers Tere Joel and Mark Braidwood. Second string hooker Kaine Cargill-Isaacs did well in his 70 minutes of action while lock Elijah Martin and loosies Oliver Larbi and Jack Vaimoli were prominent in the Texans pack. Captain and halfback Sheridan Rangihuna directed play well.

MAC manager Anthony Morley was disappointed the hosts turned down a penalty kick at goal in front of the posts during the final minutes. 

"While we were dominant at scrum and lineout time poor execution let us down. We lacked the necessary patience," Morley said.

Powerful tighthead prop Paula Latu, who scored two tries, and former Magpies loosie Fa'alemiga Selesele were inspirational in the MAC pack. Johnny Ika, who had shifts at fullback and halfback, was the most enterprising of the hosts backs.

Substitute lock Elene Vola made the most of his minutes after being promoted from the club's senior thirds team. Experienced lock Everard Reid collected a suspected broken leg and Morley said this may be the end of Reid's premier career which also involved seasons with Tamatea and Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports.

Scorers:
Napier Technical 31 (Scott Mogford, Kyle Corneilssen, Manaaki Aranui, Amos Roddick, Elijah Martin tries; Sheridan Rangihuna 3 cons), MAC 29 (Paula Latu 2, Fa'alemiga Selesele, Elene Vola, Zedekiah Awa tries; Awa 2 cons ). HT: MAC 24-19.

NOTE: The other game scheduled for today between Hastngs Rugby and Sports and Taradale Rugby and Sports wasn't played following the death earlier this week of a child of one of the Hastings players. Both teams will share the competition points.