• Hastings Rugby and Sports keep Nash Cup hopes alive

Hastings Rugby and Sports keep Nash Cup hopes alive

A powerful scrum propelled Hastings Rugby and Sports to victory in the feature third round Hawke's Bay Nash Cup premier club match today.

"Yes ... when we sat down afterwards to allocate our MVP points we gave our scrum three points, our lineout two and the whole team one," Hastings Rugby and Sports manager James Rosenberg quipped after the Maddison Trophy holders pipped Challenge Shield and Spillane Cup holders Napier Old Boys Marist 30-26 at Elwood Park.

"While our set piece was great we were rapt the boys showed a bit of guts towards the end after letting them in for a couple of quick tries midway through the second half," Rosenberg added.

While of the Hastings players deserve praise hooker Miracle Lolofie, who scored two tries, props Jason Long and Dennis Tapusoa, lock Jessie Lesa-Sipaia and captain and No 8 Jacob Devery were particularly prominent.

"We conceded a few soft turnovers. Their scrum dominance was a big part of their game and full credit to them," Napier Old Boys Marist coach Ellery Wilson said.

Experienced lock Matt Gardner was inspirational for the visitors. Dom Devine shone with his shifts at hooker and flanker and fullback Liam Edwards and winger Michael Buckley made the most of their limited opportunities on attack.   

Scorers:
Hastings Rugby and Sports 30 (Miracle Lolofie 2, Danya Tulou, Alex Philip tries; Connor McLeod 2 pens, 2 cons), Napier Old Boys Marist 26 (Migao Lauano, Michael Buckley, Johnny Faleiva, Lee Moleli tries; Bain Champion 2, Johnny Lauano cons). HT: 22-12.

                    TAMATEA 37 CENTRAL 22
Tamatea Rugby and Sports posted their first victory in Waipukurau in more than two decades with this win at Central Park.

Winger Elijah Mataira, a former Junior Black Sox World Series softballer, scored two tries in a backline which received quality service from halfback Shamara Brooks and first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie (pictured above, photos Chris Kiely)). This was the starting inside back combination for Hastings Boys' High School when they won the National Top Four title in 2017.

Loosehead prop Manahi Goulton again impressed in another quality team effort from Tamatea.

Lock Tom Parsons and hooker Max Fryatt led the Central pack by example. Winger Joeli Rauca was full of endeavour before retiring with an injury.

 
 

This match was referee Stu Catley's (pictured above) 100th premier outing. It was appropriate it was at his home ground.

Scorers:
Tamatea Rugby and Sports 37 (Elijah Mataira 2, Donovan Godinet, Jordan Harmer, Arama Cooper, Lincoln McClutchie tries; McClutchie 2 cons; Ash Robinson pen), Central Rugby and Sports 22 (Tom Parsons, Tate Harte, Ben Parsons, Joeli Rauca tries; James Logan con). HT: 25-10.


                TARADALE 34 TECH 17
Taradale Rugby and Sports remained on track for a berth in the May 8 Nash Cup final with this Whitmore Park victory.

"It was a tough physical encounter and Tech were outstanding upfront," Taradale co-coach Tim Combs said afterwards.

"For us, it was a good gutsy effort which provided a good platform to build from. With 10 minutes remaining, we were up 24-17. We held them out for almost all of those 10 minutes before scoring two late tries," Combs added.

Former halfback Thomas Eden again impressed at openside flanker. Busy No 8 Iakopo Mapu was powerful on the carry and former promising prop Jacob Ward continues to develop as a lock.

Napier Technical manager Cyril Whitburn had every right to be proud of the improvement the Texans are displaying. Halfback Sheridan Rangihuna was again classy and regular winger Ben Lewis, who scored two tries, impressed at first five-eighth.

Scorers:
Taraadale Rugby and Sports 34 (Majella Tufuga 2, Liam Rowlands, Namatahi Waa, Iakopo Mapu, Kienan Higgins tries; Cam Robinson 2 cons), Napier Technical 17 (Ben Lewis 2 tries; Sheridan Rangihuna 2 cons, pen). HT: 12-10. 


                      CLIVE 31-21
Clive Rugby and Sports made hard work of this Farndon Park win.

"Havelock North never gave up," Clive manager Dean Hales said before singling out lock Donovan Mataira, captain Josh Kaifa and fellow loosie Trent Randell as the best of the host players.

"We are rebuilding this season and that was a lot better effort from us," Havelock North coach Richard Kinnear said.

"Hopefully next week we can beat Central and avoid relegation," Kinnear added.

Loosies Nick Hutton and Tama Hawkins were the pick of the villagers forwards. First five-eighth Trinity Spooner-Neera and second five-eighth Kalin Paewai were the best of the backs.

Scorers:
Clive 31 (Jacob Dorward, Josh Kaifa, Sebastian Visinia, Kereama Peni, TK Thompson tries; Tianua Poto 3 cons), Havelock North 21 (Epeli Tanadroga, Tuaniu Tuaniu, Jone Tuidraki tries; Trinity Spooner-Neera 3 cons). HT: 17-14.

                     MAC 19 PIRATE 14
MAC played 40 minutes with 14 players and 10 with 13 but still won this Tamatea Park clash.

Magpies loosie Solomone Funaki was red-carded in the 30th minute and second five-eighth Vai Kereti was yellow carded shortly afterwards.

Halfback John Ika controlled play well for the visitors. He also scored two tries and shone with his try-saving defensive work. Winger Zedekiah Awa was also enterprising in the winning backline.

Lock Everard Reid was busy against his former club and fellow centurion and first five-eighth Jackson Waerea also made manager Anthony Morley's MVP list.

Scorers:
MAC 19 (John Ika 2, Everard Reid tries; Jackson Waerea, Zedekiah Awa cons), Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 14 (still to come). HT: 7-0.