Rugby: Benson a try scoring machine

Napier Old Boys Marist fullback David Benson on the job in the finance and admin team at Magiq Software in Napier. Photo / Duncan Brown

Napier Old Boys Marist fullback David Benson created a couple of firsts for Hawke's Bay's Club Rugby Player of the Year award competition this week.

Benson became the third brother in his family to feature in the comp in recent years following in the wake of older brothers, prop Chris and flanker Willy. He also became the third HBI Insurances NOBM player to pick up a weekly award within the Nash Cup round.

In the past only two players from one club have collected a weekly award before the end of the Nash round but this season it was hard to ignore the three NOBM players because of the manner their team dominated the past nine weeks, including Saturday's 32-3 demolition job on Taradale at Park Island in which Benson scored two tries. This effort, along with his superb pace and ability to put his outside runners into space, saw Benson, 24, become the ninth weekly winner as the battle for the McDonalds-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award continued.

Benson is the top tryscorer for his team with eight.

"I'm only scoring them because the whole team is going well," Benson said.

His form suggests he will be a hot candidate for the Hawke's Bay Saracens team later in the season, but Benson isn't looking that far ahead.

"We'll see what happens when the time comes. I will definitely take it if it comes along."

The former MAC player, who is in his third year with the NOBM premiers, started the season at centre but returned to his more familiar fullback position a fortnight ago.

"Fullback is the best position for me because I'm able to get a lot of ball if the forwards are going well."

This is the first season Benson has been injury-free after knee issues nagged him for the past five seasons. The former national age group swimming champion, who is still involved in surf life saving pursuits with the Ocean Beach Kiwi club, is confident about NOBM's chances of completing a Nash Cup-Maddison Trophy double this season.

"There's plenty of depth within the club, particularly with the seconds and colts doing well. They cope well when they step up to the prems."

Whe he completed a commerce degree and majored in economics and finance at Victoria Univeristy, Benson played for the Old Boys University club in Wellington. Benson now works in the finance and admin team at Magiq Software in Napier. His chief finance officer is Hastings Rugby and Sports supporter Stephen Wolland and there is always plenty of banter and bets when the two clubs clash.

Benson is rapt with the support he receives from his mother Mary and dad, former Junior All Black prop Pat who is on the NOBM team's coaching staff.

"I know dad would rather have me in the forwards with the brothers. But after the weekend I think he realises I'm in the right position."