Third-string first five-eighths Tyler Mou was the hosts’ Player of the Match in his first start of the season. Eighteen-year-old openside flanker Carlo Isaac and hooker Valentino Taito also impressed.
Hastings Rugby and Sports were expected to perform better in what was first five-eighth Oscar Sowman’s 50th appearance for the side.
Napier Old Boys’ Marist (NOBM) gave winger James Mitchell a winning 50th outing with their 59-12 victory against MAC at Flaxmere Park. Mitchell scored one of the Green Machine’s nine tries.
Once again, NOBM produced a strong second half after leading 26-5 at the interval. Prop Avian Rihia, lock-loosie Oto Katoa and flanker Lockie Varcoe, a son of former Magpies loosie Glenn Varcoe, were all prominent for the competition’s only unbeaten team.
MAC competed well in the first half but were guilty of conceding too many penalties, which NOBM took full advantage of. MAC halfback Henry Lautaimi shone in his first Premier start.
Captain and No 8 Faalemiga Selesele and tighthead prop Muli Tunaki also made coach Anthony Morley’s MVP list.
A dominant first half propelled Napier Technical to an upset 46-28 win over Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Whitmore Park. The Texans led 31-7 at the interval.
Winger Elia Bari grabbed a hat-trick for the hosts. Second five-eighths Ted Walters also shone in the Tech backline.
Prop Nik Patumaka and co-coach and lock Elijah Martin were again full of authority in the Texans engine room.
“We were too complacent and poor across the park,” Pirates coach Sheridan Rangihuna lamented.
“We were beaten to the ball and their pack bullied us. At the same time, this is good for the competition and we will be better for it,” Rangihuna said, after declining to single out any of his players for quality displays.
Defending champions Taradale beat Bridge Pā 65-12 at Tareha Reserve. Promising prop Rico Kara and hooker Toby Single provided plenty of grunt in the Mighty Maroons pack. Winger Ezrah Hopa-Cribb made the most of his opportunities in his 65 minutes of action after earlier playing 40 minutes for the club’s Colts team.
Bridge Pā coach Sione Cherrington-Kite said his team had displayed some improvement.
“We were better defensively and showed a lot more ticker.”
Hooker Toronge Ashton, who was playing against his brother-in-law Petera Hakiwai, was the best of the visitors. Busy No 8 Richard Harrison-Corless, a new arrival from Hamilton, also impressed.
Scorers
Havelock North 33 (Tom Brock, Nehemiah Lauvao, Valentino Taito, Alex Philip, Maiti Leef tries; Tyler Mou 4 cons), Hastings Rugby and Sports 21 (Joseph Lilo-Iosefo, Oscar Sowman, Sione Folau tries; Sowman 3 cons). HT: 21-14.
Napier Technical 46 (Elia Bari (3), Jaziah Symons, Ben Te Hau, Bogi Kikau, Nik Patumaka tries; Leighton Shaw 4 cons, pen), Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 28 (Andrew Tauatevalu, Waisake Tora, Sean Morrison, Charlie Nash tries; Tauatevalu 3, Joel Russell cons). HT: 31-7.
Taradale 65 (Petera Hakiwai (2), Angelo Mufana (2), Joseph Jury-Senitu (2), Mikaele Tapili, Meni Manase, Ezrah Hopa-Cribb, Dylan Ramsay, Rico Kara tries; Luke Thomas 5 cons), Bridge Pā 12 (Tawa Huata, James Bailey tries; Bailey con). HT: 36-7.
Napier Old Boys’ Marist 59 (Lockie Varcoe (2), Jedidiah Corbett (2), Oto Katoa, James Mitchell, Jonty Stewart, Michael Beech, Josh McIntyre tries; Stewart 7 cons), MAC 12 (Tulafono Tafolo, Donovan Godinet tries; Alatasi Tupou con). HT: 26-5.
This article is provided courtesy of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union
