Tech's Liam Udy-Johns is swarmed by Hastings players as the two sides played out a club rugby thriller. Photo / Emma Rodger
- This article is provided courtesy of Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union
Ten days before his team took on Taradale in Hawke’s Bay’s premier club rugby competition on Saturday, one could sense Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports player-coach Sheridan Rangihuna’s high confidence levels.
“I wouldn’t say Taradale are vulnerable but they have lost a lot of experience,” Rangihuna replied when informed of Taradale’s 22-19 victory over Napier Technical in their April 2 Nash Cup third-round encounter.
On Saturday, Rangihuna and his troops proved defending champions Taradale were beatable with a 36-19 victory at the Tareha Recreation Reserve.
It was Taradale’s second defeat in two seasons and in capturing the Hawke’s Bay Challenge Shield the Pirate outfit posted their first win on the Mighty Maroons’ turf in 11 years.
“Taradale have still got a good set piece. We were just lucky to turn our opportunities into points,” Rangihuna explained.
Once again, Pirate captain and No 8 Tiaki Fabish was inspirational.
Lock Eli Rore boxed well above his weight against a club he has strong whānau ties to.
Wingers Charlie Nash and Ewan Haire impressed with their defensive work and fullback Andrew Tauatevalu was classy.
“It was good to produce an 80-minute performance after our reputation was tarnished during the second half of our first-round loss to NOBM. At the same we know we have to back this up in the Maddison Trophy rounds,” Rangihuna added.
Taradale assistant coach Andrew Gardner said his lads would learn from the defeat.
“There was still a lot of good stuff from us but we had concentration lapses in key moments and Pirates capitalised. Maddisons aren’t won in April,” Gardner explained.
Vice-captain and loosehead prop Hadlee Hay-Horton and substitute halfback Koby Lee were the best of the Taradale players.
Four players, prop Tulitaluai Faleiva, hooker and vice-captain Dylan Homan, lock Matt Monaghan and winger Michael Beech will remember their Napier Old Boys’ Marist side’s 118-5 drubbing of Bridge Pā at Park Island for a bit longer than their teammates. After the match this quartet were presented with their blazers in recognition of 50 appearances for the Green Machine.
Beech celebrated the occasion with four tries. Patrick Lilo-Iosefo, who had shifts at second five-eighth and blindside flanker was NOBM’s player-of-the-match. Flankers Kane Ngawhare, a New Zealand Under-20 trialist, and Michael Evans, who captained the club’s Colts team last year, also made NOBM’s MVP list.
Havelock North gave hooker Jasper Wyllie a winning 100th appearance with their 55-17 thrashing of MAC at Anderson Park. Magpies squad members, prop Manahi Goulton and No 8 Cooper Flanders, were full of authority in the villagers’ pack.
MAC coach Anthony Morley pointed out that while Havelock North played well his troops struggled at set piece time, executed poorly, failed to utilise the wind to their advantage and lacked discipline.
Substitute openside flanker Xavier Clarke-Lloyd, substitute lock Tui Paikea and inside back Junior Safoi were the best of the visitors.
Hastings Rugby and Sports pipped Napier Technical 42-36 in an entertaining tussle at Elwood Park. This result leaves Hastings in third place and Tech fifth on the points table.
If Saturday’s display is an indication, both Hastings and Tech will be serious contenders for semifinal berths in the Maddison Trophy. However, both teams will have to improve their defensive work if they are to secure a berth in the final.
Props Immanuel Naciva and Blake Tresidder and hooker Damarius Hokianga provided plenty of grunt in the Hastings engine room. Halfback Caleb Horsefield provided slick service to his backs. Second five-eighth Jordan Thompson-Dunn carried strong all day and first five-eighth Oscar Sowman slotted all six of his attempts at goal.
Prop Nik Patumaka and No 8 Liam Udy-Johns again had massive work rates in the Texans pack. Winger Elia Bari was enterprising and deserved his hat-trick and second five-eighth Ted Walters again displayed the benefits of his vast experience.
Standings after four rounds:
NOBM 20 points, Pirate 15, Hastings 15, Taradale 14, Tech 13, Havelock North 8, MAC 2, Bridge Pa 0.
Scorers:
Hastings Rugby and Sports 42 (Jordan Thompson-Dunn (2), Damarius Hokinga, Bryson Ioane, Caleb Horsefield, Kusi Drauna tries; Oscar Sowman 6 cons), Napier Technical 36 (Elia Bari (3), Jaziah Symons, Liam Udy-Johns, Kyle Cornelissen tries; Leighton Shaw 3 cons). HT: 28-19.
Napier Old Boys Marist 118 (Michael Beech (4), Jedidiah Corbett (3), Patrick Lilo Iosefo (2), Tuilitaluai Faleiva (2), Matt Monaghan, Oto Katoa, Te Kahika Thompson, Michael Evans, Jonty Stewart, Kaihau Pasikala, Jahdiel Asovale-Misa tries; Stewart 13, Beech cons), Bridge Pā 5 (Not Supplied). HT: 57-0.
Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 36 (Jehmial Ross (2). Tiaki Fabish, Juan Ross, Sheridan Rangihuna, Ewan Haire tries; Rangihuna 2, Liam Batt cons), Taradale 19 (Troy Thomas, Mikaele Tapili, Sam Combs tries; Izaiah Tuliau, Luke Thomas cons). HT: 24-7.
Havelock North 55 (Cooper Flanders (2), Alex Philip (2), Manahi Goulton, Kalin Paewai, Mokau Lambert, Le’Sharn Reiri-Paku, Lawson Gillies tries; Hoera Stephenson 5 cons), MAC 17 (Iosefa SA, Christ Poalaga, Fa’asua Selausene tries; Alatasi Tupou con). HT: 24-5.