Poto delivers for Clive in crucial round one win
Fullback Tianua Poto's goalkicking display in tricky windy conditions was the highlight of Clive Rugby and Sports win in today's first round of Hawke's Bay's Maddison Trophy premier club competition.
Clive beat Napier Technical 40-33 at Whitmore Park after leading 33-5 at halftime. Poto (pictured above) succeeded with eight of his nine attempts at goal to finish with 20 points from four conversions and four penalties.
"The one I missed was from halfway and into the wind. So I was happy with the day," Poto explained.
"That was a big win for us as far as our goal of making the top four is concerned," Poto said.
He also impressed with his tactical kicking and kicking for touch. Poto had 40 minutes for the Magpies Wider Training Group in Wednesday night's win against Waikato and he knows if he continues to perform he could get an appearance in a Ranfurly Shield defence next month.
"I'll keep doing my thing and selection for the Wider Training Group should take care of itself," Poto said.
Centre Lolagi Visinia also shone in the winning backline and deserved his two tries. Busy No 8 Joe Fuimaono was the best of the Clive forwards.
While the Texans second half comeback was commendable they paid the price for leaking too many points in the first half. Second five-eighth Ted Walters was always dangerous and scored two tries.
Promising No 8 Xavier McCorkindale and substitutes, prop Mark Braidwood and lock Trent Boswell-Wakefield were prominent in the Tech pack.
Scorers:
Clive Rugby and Sports 40 (Lolagi Visinia 2, Te Aranga Hakiwai, Antony Wilson tries; 4 cons, 4 pens), Napier Technical 33 (Ted Walters 2, Xavier McCorkindale, Manaaki Aranui, Kyle Corneilson tries; Sheridan Rangihuna 4 cons). HT: 33-5.
NOBM 28 TAMATEA 21
Tamatea Rugby and Sports were unlucky not to secure a draw in this Challenge Shield challenge at Tremain Field.
The visitors attacked with two minutes remaining and were shut down two metres short of the line. They did well to keep the Green Machine scoreless in the second half.
"We knew Tamatea had improved. They killed us at the breakdown and put us under pressure," NOBM coach Ellery Wilson said afterwards.
Captain and No 8 Ricky Hayes and lock Alex Williams were influential figures in the host pack. Winger Michael Buckley was the best of the NOBM backs.
First five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie directed the Tamatea backline well. Winger Jordarn Harmer, who was a doubtful starter with injury, did well to score tries.
Loosies Jimi Harris and Arama Kite along with gutsy locks Moses Hawkins and Dan Paku were inspirational in the Tamatea pack.
Scorers:
Napier Old Boys Marist 28 (Dom Devine 2, Ricky Hayes, Bain Champion tries; Champion 4 cons), Tamatea Rugby and Sports 21 (Jordarn Harmer 2, Elijah Mataira tries; Ash Robinson 3 cons). HT: 28-14.
HASTINGS 50 CENTRAL 31
Two players who missed Hastings Rugby and Sports Nash Cup final last week were influential in this Elwood Park victory.
Hurricanes midfield back Danny Toala dictated terms well from first five-eighth. He scored a try, busted the defensive line regularly and kicked three conversions.
Magpies hooker Jacob Devery had a massive workrate at No 8. With regular halfback Connor McLeod unavailable Olive Malaki was promoted from the development grade and played all 80 minutes of his premier debut.
Hooker Max Fryatt and Magpies prop Joel Hintz impressed in the Central pack. New Zealand under-20s squad first five-eighth Harry Godfrey and centre Tate Harte were enterprising Central backs.
"The score doesn't reflect the game. Had Toala not been there we would have won the game," Central manager Ian Large said.
Scorers:
Hastings Rugby and Sports 50 (Saifiti Saifiti 2, Tommy Agnew, Ioane Ioane, Danny Toala, Dennis Tapusoa, Jacob Devery, Eugene Sandilands tries; Toala 3, Ioane 2 cons), Central Rugby and Sports 31 (Frank Lochore 2, Tom Parsons, Ruan De Lange tries; Harry Godfrey 3 pens, con). HT: 26-16.
TARADALE 37 MAC 17
Taradale Rugby and Sports co-coaches Boyd Carswell and Tim Combs were rapt with this Flaxmere Park victory.
"It was always going to be a challenge a week after retaining the Nash Cup. But the boys responded well particularly in the first half when we controlled territory into the wind and established a 22-0 lead," Combs said.
"Our defensive work was really impressive and allowed us to force turnovers," Carswell explained.
Flanker Thomas Eden, locks Sam Combs and Angelo Mufana and halfback Karl Hewitt all made the Mighty Maroons coaching staff's MVP list.
Scorers:
Taradale Rugby and Sports 37 (Dylan Ramsay 2, Kienan Higgins, Sam Combs, Nathan Tweedy, Karl Hewitt, Nathan Ramsay tries; Cam Robinson con), MAC 17 (Everard Reid 2, Maika Fehoko tries; Vai Kereti con). HT: 22-0.
Points: Taradale 5, Hastings 5, Clive 5, NOBM 5, Tech 2, Tamatea 1, Central 1, MAC 0.
