Rugby: Blowouts in first round

Hastings East fullback Latrell Ah Kiong sparks another counter attack during his side's 42-3 win against Central yesterday. Photo / Duncan Brown

Hastings East winger Jakob Bargh grabbed four tries as the defending champions opened the Hawke's Bay Ross Shield rugby tournament in emphatic fashion yesterday.

A Havelock North Intermediate School Year eight pupil, Bargh scored the first three tries at the 112th Wattie's-sponsored annual tournament being played at Waipukurau's Central Park before touching down for his fourth in the second half of a 42-3 drubbing of Central. Others to impress in the Hastings East backline were first five-eighth Jordan Thompson-Dunn and fullback Latrell Ah Kiong, a grandson of former Magpies player Wini Smiler.

Captain and openside flanker Sam Walton-Sexton was East's player-of-the-match. His co vice-captain and No8 Ethan Dorward, lock Phenix Pomana and hooker Tait Wylie also had massive workrates in the winning pack.

"We've got a few work-ons. There were some first game jitters but it is a good start to build from," East head coach Andrew Hui said.

Silver Fern Farms Central manager John Kilmister said considering East had 80 per cent of possession, the hosts defended well.

"We matched them at set piece time but, once they got the ball wide, we were in trouble. We don't have the necessary depth in outside backs ... but our players tackled their hearts out."

Captain and No8 Sam Henderson was the best of the Central players. Blindside flanker Bruno King also operated well in the host pack.

Halfback Angus Kilmister and second five-eighth Joevahn Baker were the pick of the Central backs.

Napier vice-captain Kurtis Weeks captured player-of-the-match honours after his side's 50-3 victory against Scanpower Dannevirke. Weeks, one of 12 members of the Napier Old Boys Marist 12th grade team in the Napier side, had productive stints in the second five-eighth and fullback positions.

First five-eighth Kegan Christian-Goss and second five-eighth Leo Thompson combined well in the Napier backline. Captain and hooker Tyrone Thompson and blindside flanker Patrick Teddy made valuable contributions to the Napier pack.

Blindside flanker Maehe Body-Marsh was outstanding for Dannevirke.

Captain and hooker Damaruss Hokianga-Heather, a third year Ross Shield player, was an inspirational figure in IMS Payroll Hastings West's 66-0 thrashing of Affco Wairoa. Lock Jack Webster and No8 Reuben Saunders also made some strong carries.

Fullback Gideon Kautai used his speed well and was the player-of-the-match.

First five-eighth Fred Gibson impressed with his ability to sniff out space.

Second five-eighth Pareiha Hubbard and blindside flanker Richmond Ereatara were the best of the Wairoa players.

Scorers:

Hastings East 42 (Jakob Bargh 4, Sam Walton-Sexton, Ethan Snow-Smith, Ethan Dorward tries; Ngatai McClutchie 2 cons, pen), Central 3 (Jonty Andersen pen). HT: 29-0.

Napier 50 (Tyrone Thompson 2, Te Kahika Thompson 2, Patrick Teddy, Leo Thompson, Taneilu Ta'a, Reece Akuhata tries; Keegan Christian-Goss 5 cons), Dannevirke 3 (Piritia McGuire pen). HT: 31-3.

Hastings West 66 (Tristin Hohipa 2, Manaia Heperi, Chas Gilles, Jon Karlson, Reuben Saunders, Fred Gibson, Andrew Rennie, Gideon Kautai, Tom, Charteris tries; Gibson 6, Kautai 2 cons), Wairoa 0. HT: 33-0.

Points: Hastings West 2, Napier 2, Hastings East 2, Central 0, Dannev.0, Wairoa 0.