Tamatea record first premier club rugby win since 2018
Tamatea Rugby and Sports set tongues wagging after today's second in Hawke's Bay's Nash Cup premier club rugby competition.
The Nui Bartlett-coached side beat Havelock North 33-12 at Bill Mathewson Park after leading 28-0 at halftime. This was Tamatea's first win since a 29-26 victory against Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports in the 2018 Maddison Trophy competition and their first in the Nash Cup since a 32-22 victory against Clive in 2018.
As was the case during their 29-14 loss to defending champions Taradale Rugby and Sports last week Tamatea performed well as a team today. Centre Dennon Robinson was classy and deserved his two tries.
Robinson combined well with second five-eighth Jordan Harmer. The hosts front row of props Mason Kean and Manahi Goulton and hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes was cohesive and lock Tama Hutana had a massive work rate.
"It was a tough day at the office for us. While we came back well in the second half the damage was done in the first," Havelock North manager Matt Arcus said.
Prop Jasper Wylie and lock Shane Cusack were the best of the Havelock forwards. Halfback Sam Walton-Sexton and second five-eighth Kalin Paewai were the pick of the villagers backs.
Scorers:
Tamatea Rugby and Sports 33 (Dennon Robinson 2, Shamara Brooks, Jordan Harmer, penalty try tries; Ash Robinson 3 cons), Havelock North 12 (Jasper Wylie, Ben Kelt tries; Kelt con). HT: 28-0.
NOBM 35 TECH 17
Napier Old Boys Marist halfback Zach Donaldson and his Napier Technical counterpart Sheridan Rangihuna both put their hands up for Magpies selection during this Park Island encounter.
With Highlander Folau Fakatava out for the season either Donaldson or Rangihuna, who both have first class experience, could find themselves in contention for Magpies selection later this season if they continue to build on today's form.
As expected Napier Old Boys' Marist's superior depth and fitness levels proved to be the difference between the two teams. Former Tech loosie Hannon Brighouse (pictured scoring above, photos Chris Kiely) and captain and fellow loosies Ricky Hayes were inspirational for the hosts.
Substitute prop Pulea Faleiva also shone in the winning pack. First five-eighth Bain Champion and winger Michael Buckley impressed in the Green Machine's backline.
Former Baby Blacks prop Tim Farrell was again powerful for the Texans. Promising openside flanker Amos Roddick (pictured below) and captain and lock Elijah Martin were also prominent in a Texans pack that had no passengers. Second five-eighth Ted Walters joined Rangihuna as the best of the Tech backs.
Scorers:
Napier Old Boys Marist 35 (Bain Champion, Michael Buckley, Ricky Hayes, Hannon Brighouse, Sonny Lilo tries; Champion 4, Liam Edwards cons), Napier Technical 17 (Elijah Martin, Ted Walters, Wesley Akeripa tries; Sheridan Rangihuna con). HT: 14-12.
CLIVE 38 PIRATE 7
A dominant second half propelled Clive Rugby and Sports to this dominant win at Tamatea Park.
"The first half was ugly and we couldn't string phases together. But in the second half we got things going," Clive manager Dean Hales said.
Loosehead prop Zac Southwick and flankers Josh Kaifa and Karetai Williams were among the valuable contributors in the Clive pack. First five-eighth Tianua Poto and Nick Biss, who had stints at centre and fullback, functioned well in the winning backline.
"We didn't front mentally. Clive played well and we had nothing to combat them," Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports co-coach Spencer Bethell said.
Captain and openside flanker Damien Scott and lock Alex Wilson toiled tirelessly in the host pack. Second five-eighth Felise Tavae had some memorable moments in the Pirate backline.
Scorers:
Clive Rugby and Sports 38 (Tianua Poto 2, Anthony Wilson, Lolagi Visinia, Joe Fuimaono Nick Biss tries; Poto 4 cons), Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 7 (Liam Batt try; Zion Clarke con). HT: 14-0.
TARADALE 34 CENTRAL 10
Eighteen-year-old first five-eighth Carlos Kemp had a memorable premier debut for Taradale Rugby and Sports in this victory at Tareha Recreation Reserve.
Kemp had the luxury of playing behind a dominant pack well led by tighthead prop Namatahi Waa. Hooker Liam Rowlands and No 8 Nathan Tweedy also made co-coach Boyd Carswell's MVP list.
Former prop Jacob Ward continues to make progress in the locking role for the Mighty Maroons. Carswell praised the never-say-die approach of the visitors.
Scorers:
Taradale Rugby and Sports 34 (Namatahi Waa, Ben Freschini, Kienan Higgins, Iakopo Mapu, penalty try tries; Carlos Kemp, Brad Truesdale cons, Kemp pen), Central 10 (still to come). HT: 10-0.
HASTINGS 33 MAC 12
Hooker Miracle Lolofie produced a player-of-the-match performance for Hastings Rugby and Sports in this Flaxmere Park victory.
Lock Jesse Lesa-Sipaia also had a high workrate in the winning pack. Halfback Connor McLeod and Hurricanes midfielder Danny Toala operated well in the Hastings backline.
Toala scored a length-of-the-field try and impressed with his tactical kicking. Hastings manager James Rosenberg said a greasy ball contributed to a scrappy and often stop-start affair but his side's support play was superior to the hosts.
Scorers:
Hastings Rugby and Sports 33 (Mason Emerson, Gideon Kautai, Danny Toala, Miracle Lolofie tries; Connor McLeod 3 pens, 2 cons), MAC 12 (still to come). HT: 20-0.
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