Napier Old Boys Marist fullback Elis Lewis makes a breakaway. Photo / Emma Rodger
– This article is provided courtesy of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union
Talk about spoiling Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports’ party.
Napier Old Boys Marist (NOBM) certainly did in Saturday’s first round of Hawke’s Bay’s Nash Cup Premier club rugby competition with a 35-10 victory at Hawke’s Bay Rugby’s Ian MacRae Field.
It was a huge weekend for the Pirate club, with the official opening of its new clubrooms, adjacent to the field, the previous night.
Former Pirate players from throughout Australasia were among the spectators. While their team defended well in the first spell and deserved their 10-7 halftime lead, the Green Machine dominated the second half with superior accuracy, speed, mobility and scrummaging.
“There’s always been strong rivalry between us and we are closer neighbours now,” elated NOBM player-coach Ellery Wilson said, referring to the fact his club is based a couple of hundred metres from their opponents, who lost the Leadbetter-Macdonald Cup in the fixture.
Wilson’s troops won the New Zealand Marist Spillane Cup tournament in hot conditions earlier this month in Hastings and the benefits of playing in those conditions were evident on Saturday. Wilson agreed, adding that some much-needed bulk to his squad has also paid off.
“We have been a small team for so long, but that’s no longer the case.”
All of his front-rowers deserve kudos for their contribution to a pack that was well-led by captain and openside flanker Will Tremain and powerful No 8 Kaihau Pasikala.
Pirate player-coach Sheridan Rangihuna pointed out NOBM were a classy side with a good bench.
“They flexed their muscle at set-piece time and showed us we need to do some work on our scrum. At the same time I told our boys the competition isn’t won in the first round”
Captain and No 8 Tiaki Fabish, flanker Hugh Taylor and fullback Andrew Tauatevalu were the best of the Pirate players.
Nash Cup and Maddison Trophy holders Taradale retained the Challenge Shield and the Cooper-O’Dwyer Cup with their 46-24 win against Havelock North at Tareha Reserve. Havelock North, the only team to beat Taradale last year, competed well in the first spell and trailed 17-5 at the interval.
However, with a simple and direct game plan, Taradale were able to dominate the second half. Former first-class referee Dan Waenga, who will be available for Taradale from the third round, said that fullback Nic “Dingo” Benn had a memorable debut for the hosts. Busy No 8 Mikaele Tapili and lock Angelo Mufana were also prominent for the Mighty Maroons.
“Taradale are the champions and our boys now know the benchmark,” Havelock North coach Exham Wichman said afterwards.
“We were excited in the first half but they blew us away in the second half,” Wichman added.
His team had nine debutants in the match. Mexican prop Alejandro Macias joined flanker Carlo Isaac and No 8 Tom Brock as the best of the visitors.
Napier Technical gave Bridge Pā a harsh introduction to Premier play with a 73-0 thrashing at Whitmore Park.
“We didn’t expect that. We just didn’t get going,” Bridge Pā coach Sione Cherrington-Kite lamented afterwards.
“Tech’s tight five laid the foundation for them. But we will learn from this,” he added.
Captain Jackson Waerea, who had stints at No 10, 12 and 13 had a high defensive workrate. Busy No 8 Hunter Nuku was the pick of the Bridge Pā forwards. Centre Hemi Waerea was playing his 50th match for the visitors.
Texans manager Cyril Whitburn agreed the hosts’ tight five, led by props Nik Patumaka and Kianu Kereru-Symes, functioned well. Three Texans, halfback Oliver Beale, Hawke’s Bay Academy winger Malachi Osman and substitute loosie Neil Gannaway, all shone on debut.
Talented openside flanker Taufaeteau Kaufononga scored three tries as his Hastings Rugby and Sports side beat MAC 51-33 at Elwood Park. Hastings Boys’ High School product Kaufononga has returned to the Bay after a year with the Wellington Academy.
He was one of seven players making their debuts for Hastings. First five-eighth Oscar Sowman and hooker Damarius Hokianga were other key architects for the hosts, who started well and led 27-5 at the interval.
MAC coach Anthony Morley pointed out his team made a couple of tactical errors into the wind and were under pressure early. While they lacked patience at times, Morley said he was happy with the manner in which they fought back and secured a bonus point.
Former Magpies loosie Falemiga Selesele was inspirational for the visitors. Props Fraser Taurima-Heperi and T.K. Kata provided plenty of grunt in the MAC pack and halfback Bronson Hokianga was the pick of the MAC backs.
Napier Old Boys Marist 35 (Ellery Wilson, Kaihau Pasikala, Will Tremain, Kaea Luke, Michael Beech tries; Jonty Stewart 5 cons), Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 10 (Sean Morrison, Andrew Tauatevalu tries). HT: Pirate 10-7.
Taradale 46 (C J Mienie (3), Bethel Malasia, Meni Manase, Angelo Mufana, Dylan Ramsay, Hunter Morrison tries; Izaiah Tuliau 3 cons), Havelock North 24 (Alex Philip (2), Lawson Gillies, Tom Brock tries; Hoera Stephenson 2 cons). HT: 17-5.
Hastings Rugby and Sports 51 (Taufaeteau Kaufononga (3), Louie Uregei, Max Gomez, John Lameko, Kusi Drauna, Neria Fomai tries; Oscar Sowman 4 cons, pen), MAC 33 (Junior Saufoi, Alatasi Tupou, Xavier Clarke-Lloyd, penalty try tries; Tupou 3 cons). HT: 27-5.
Napier Technical 73 (Jaziah Symons (3), Elia Bari (2), Leighton Shaw, Oliver Beale, Malachi Osman, Isimeli Vono, Tyrone Mauheni, penalty try, tries; Shaw 8 cons ), Bridge Pā 0. HT: 24-0