MAC gave Bridge Pā the runaround in the final round of the Nash Cup. Photo / Emma Rodger
This article is provided by Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union
Bridge Pā were beaten 46-10 by the only other previously winless team, MAC, in their seventh-round Nash Cup clash at Flaxmere Park on Saturday.
This defeat left the Sione Cherrington-Kite-coached side without a competition point and nine points below MAC, with a differential of -531.
Despite this winless run, Cherrington-Kite confirmed his troops will play in the Maddison Trophy competition which starts next weekend.
“We want to keep building at this level so we can perform better next year,” Cherrington-Kite explained.
His troops trailed 29-5 at halftime against MAC. Vice-captain and hooker Whetu Ferris, No 8 Hunter Nuku and centre Ngati Kahungunu Manihera all deserved their spots on Bridge Pā’s MVP list.
MAC coach Anthony Morley pointed out the hosts deserved their win but didn’t play as well as they did in their sixth-round 27-26 loss to Napier Technical.
“We were much fitter than Bridge Pā and played with better shape. We were definitely dominant on the edge,” Morley said.
MAC halfback Bronson Hokianga and first five-eighth Alatasi Tupou were both outstanding in their 50th appearances. Second five-eighth Donovan Godinet also shone in the winning backline.
Lock Fraser Taurima-Heperi and captain and No 8 Falemiga Selesele were inspirational in the host pack. MAC intend to play in the Maddison Trophy round.
It took a last-minute penalty from utility back Jonty Stewart to give unbeaten competition winners Napier Old Boys Marist(NOBM) a 36-33 win over Napier Technical at Tremain Field. The Green Machine had an extra incentive to fight back from their 27-5 halftime deficit as it was player-coach Ellery Wilson’s 150th match.
Former Magpie Wilson, 36, played the entire match at first five-eighth and, according to assistant coach Matt Wyatt, will likely be playing again next season. Wyatt said NOBM will learn from the pressure they were put under in the first spell.
Hooker Reilly Hannan was NOBM’s player-of-the-match. Lock Oto Katoa impressed with his powerful carries.
While rapt with how competitive the Texans were, manager Cyril Whitburn said the conceding of a penalty try and two yellow cards proved costly for the visitors. With their two competition points Tech secured second place.
Prop Nik Patumaka, captain and hooker Manaaki Aranui and lock Elijah Martin provided plenty of grunt in the Tech engine room. Bush No 8 Liam Udy-Johns was prominent at the breakdowns. Tech’s midfield combination of Ted Walters and Jaziah Symons functioned well.
Havelock North coach Exham Wichman was ecstatic after the villagers pipped Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 36-35 in a topsy-turvy, entertaining encounter at Anderson Park.
“We’re showing some good form and it was a good way to finish the competition at home,” Wichman said.
He heaped kudos on loosehead prop Alejandro Macias, who scored two tries. Hooker Valentino Taito and No 8 Cooper Flanders were also full of authority in the winning pack. Fullback Will Cole was the pick of the villagers’ backs.
In-form Pirate flanker Drew Berg-McLean deserved his two tries and centre Anaru Paenga-Morgan was thirsty for work in the visiting backline.
Maddison Trophy holders Taradale bounced back from the previous weekend’s defeat to NOBM with a 27-24 victory over Hastings Rugby and Sports at Elwood Park.
“It wasn’t the most pretty win. But it’s better to win ugly than lose ugly,” Taradale assistant coach Andrew Gardner remarked.
His team established a 22-10 halftime lead before allowing the hosts back into the match during the third quarter and finishing strong.
For the second consecutive week, openside flanker Carlo Mienie was the best of the Taradale players. Lock Luka Kyle also shone in the Mighty Maroons pack. Winger Bethel Malasia was pick of the Taradale backs.
Hastings Rugby and Sports coach Jason Long was proud of the effort produced by his two lads and his looking forward to the May 16 match between these two sides. His front rowers, Blake Tresidder, Joseph Lilo-Iosefo and Membrenz Tahu, all had massive work rates.
Second five-eighth Bryson Ioane shone with his footwork on his way to a spectacular try.
NOBM 35 points, Tech 25, Taradale 24, Pirate 23, Havelock North 23, Hastings 18, MAC 9, Bridge Pā 0.
MAC 46 (Junior Asosa Ailao (2), Donovan Godinet, Xavier Clarke-Lloyd, Tulafono Tafolo, Junior Paulo, Muli Tuanaki, Altasi Tupou tries; Tupou 2, Khan Pokere cons), Bridge Pā 10 (Whetu Ferris, Zion Heke-Kennedy tries). HT: 29-5.
Havelock North 36 (Alejandro Macias (2), Cooper Flanders, Manahi Goulton, Tom Brock tries; Will Cole 4 cons, pen), Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 35 (Drew Berg-McLean (2), Anaru Paenga-Morgan, Manahi Brooking, Ethan Webby tries; Sheridan Rangihuna 4, Hunter Yarrall cons).
Taradale 27 (Bethel Malasia, Meni Manase, Petera Hakiwai, Luke Thomas tries; Izaiah Tuliau 2 cons; Joseph Jury-Senitu pen), Hastings Rugby and Sports 24 (Blake Tresidder, Bryson Ioane, Joseph Lilo-Iosefo, Taufaeteau Kaufononga tries; Oscar Sowman 2 cons). HT: 22-10.
Napier Old Boys Marist 36 (Josh McIntyre, Michael Beech, Dylan Homan, Kere Penitito, penalty try tries; Jonty Stewart 3 cons, pen ), Napier Technical 33 (Elia Bari, Elijah Martin, Ben Te Hau, Tim Sciascia, Jaziah Symons tries; Leighton Shaw 2 pens, con). HT: Tech 27-5.