Hurricanes lock Mark Abbott made the most of his first outing for NOBM in two seasons. Magpies prop Jarvy Aoake produced a player-of-the-match performance while substitute loosie Willy Benson impressed with his impact off the pine as NOBM retained the Challenge Shield.
Lively halfback Zac Donaldson and first five-eighth Johnny Lauano combined well in the winning backline. Former NOBM openside flanker Pouvi Fatialofa was the best of the Pirate players.
Experienced lock Marcus Donovan also shone in the losing pack. Centre Matt Garland was always a threat for the visitors.
Havelock 21 Central 20
Northfuels Central manager Ian Large demanded an apology from your's truly after his team almost upset Havelock North in this Anderson Park encounter.
He was referring to my prediction of a 20-point win for the villagers which obviously worked as motivational ammunition for the Central lads.
"It was close to our best effort of the season ... we played how we can," Large said before singling out first five-eighth Cole Eru, lock Ben Carpenter and openside flanker Regan Patterson as the visitors' best.
Progressive Meats Havelock North manager Layton Onekawa praised the manner in which Central pushed his team until the final whistle.
"As a team we thought we had turned a corner after a good win against MAC last week. Unfortunately we've said that a few times this season and we seemed to have come full circle and are back where we started," Onekawa said.
Second five-eighth Kalin Paewai, centre Brendan Solomon and first five-eighth Dan Snee were prominent in the winning backline. Flanker Sam Lamborn and prop Emmanuel Maui provided quality grunt in the winning engine room.
Taradale 51 Clive 20
Taradale fullback Dan McIntyre scored four tries as his team spoiled Clive's club day celebrations with a comfortable win at Farndon Park.
Player of the match McIntyre has scored nine tries in his last three games. Second five-eighth Uta Tupuola and No8 Jacob Baker were others to shine for Carters Frame and Truss Taradale as they maintained first equal place on the points table with NOBM.
Halfback Heperi Harrison grabbed a hat-trick for K9 Petfoods Clive. Winger Peter Bassett and loosie Jesse Tuhua also had massive work rates for the below-strength riversiders.
Hastings 33 MAC 8
Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports first win in the comp was a costly one.
Lock Jonno Makris collected a broken jaw in the Elwood Park clash and is out for the remainder of the season. In-form second five-eighth Neria Fomai combined well with centre Timo Vaiusu in the Hastings backline while flanker Ben Parsons and lock Sanaila Waqa led the host pack by example.
After finishing second in the Nash Cup MAC are winless and at the bottom of the table after three rounds in the Maddison Trophy.
"We can't rely on our Nash Cup form. The Maddison means more to every team and we have to change our mentality to suit," MAC manager Narley Tuliau said.
Captain and No8 Api Sione and experience lock Johnny Te Ngaio were tireless workers in the MAC pack. Halfback Tom Iosefo and second five-eighth Vai Kereti were the best of the backs.
Tech 65 Tamatea 27
Magpies prop Tolu Fahamokioa produced his best club performance of the season for Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical in this Whitmore Park victory.
Fellow Magpie Trent Boswell-Wakefield was another workaholic in the winning pack. First five-eighth Kelvin Smith directed the Tech backline well.
Winger Ash Robinson scored 22 of Tamatea's points with three tries, two conversions and a penalty. Halfback Wayne Nikora's service was admirable and Henare Harris had solid shifts as a second five-eighth and loosie.
