Rugby: Broken leg fuels surprise win

Central halfback Tim Scia Scia makes a break after receiving a pass from Ben Carpenter on ground. NOBM defenders Jarvy Aoake (left) and Matt Thompson are in pursuit. Photo / Paul Taylor

Busy No8 Mark Ioane's broken leg was a motivating factor in Hastings Rugby and Sports upset win in Hawke's Bay's premier club rugby competition on Saturday.

Ioane collected the injury 16 minutes into Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports 32-18 victory against defending champions Carters Frame and Truss Taradale in a second round Tui Nash Cup fixture at Elwood Park. The hosts were ahead 5-0 at that stage and the game was delayed 20 minutes while officials waited for an ambulance.

"The boys were keen to do well for Mark. It was a big blow for us as he is our main man at the back of the scrum. But at the same time there was improved accuracy and better structure compared with the previous week," Hastings head coach Aaron Bartlett explained.

It was Taradale's first loss in 21 Nash Cup fixtures since 2013 and second five-eighth Neria Fomai, locks Geoff Cridge and Ben Parsons and captain and openside flanker Ben Hamelink were the key architects for Bartlett. It was Hurricane Cridge's first outing of the season for Hastings and he completed 80 minutes.

"Our coaches are still giving all our squad plenty of game time," Taradale manager Paul Atkins said before singling out No8 Sisa Vosaki, captain Andrew Gardner and fellow flanker Kaleb Whakataka as the best of the maroons.

MAC 26 Havelock 11

MAC head coach Len Huia was saluting his forward pack after this upset at Anderson Park.

"There were no passengers in the pack and this allowed the likes of Tom and Vai to show their class in the backline," Huia said referring to first five-eighth Tom Iosefo and centre Vai Kereti.

Hooker Tere Joel and openside flanker Fale Matamata were prominent in the winning pack. Progressive Meats Havelock North manager Layton Onekawa said MAC deserved their five points.

"We have a number of players new to this grade and this is affecting our ability to string phases together and compete," Onekawa added.

Winger Jesse Paewai, his cousin and halfback Isaac Paewai and new openside flanker Sam Hayes all made Onekawa's MVP list. Hurricane Tony Lamborn was a workaholic for the hosts.

NOBM 27 Central 19

Napier Old Boys Marist gave second five-eighth Migao Lauano a winning 200th premier outing with this Park Island victory.

Lauano's Hawke's Bay Insurances Napier Old Boys Marist team is the only one to have completed the first two rounds with maximum points. New No8 Matt Gardiner and Magpies prop Jarvy Aoake led the host pack by example.

Magpies halfback Ellery Wilson provided quality service to a backline which saw centre David Benson and fullback Liam Edwards impress with their pace. Northfuels Central competed well, particularly in the first half when they enjoyed long periods of dominance.

Winger Tommo Fogarty made the most of his opportunities in the Central backline. Halfback Toby Richardson shone with his cover defence and goalkicking and hooker Max Fryatt was a gutsy operator.

Pirate 48 Tech 6

Maddison Trophy holders Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports showed how keen they are to add the Nash Cup to their haul of silverware with this Whitmore Park romp.

"We struggled to get dominance in the first half but the forwards took over in the second," Pirate manager Charles Reid said referring to his team's 15-3 halftime lead.

Dynamic No8 Aaron McPhee and prop Sean Morrison were a powerful pair in the Pirate pack and first five-eighth Ted Symes directed the backline well in the absence of regular pivot and captain David Neilson. Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical manager Cyril Whitburn said his troops were starved of possession and Pirate openside Pouvi Fatialofa was a menace in this department.

Lock Elijah Martin, his brother and flanker Izzy Martin joined halfback-winger Scott Mogford as Tech's best.

Clive 26 Tamatea 3

Big improvers K9 Petfoods Clive maintained their unbeaten run with this Bill Mathewson Park win.

"We bombed a couple of tries but we will still take the win," said Clive coach Blair Cross.

Lock Ben Taylor and South African prop Kevin Becker provided plenty of grunt and inside back Tianua Poto impressed in both the first and second five-eighth positions.

Halfback Taniera Miratana and first five-eighth Oranga Harris directed the Tamatea backline well. Lock Logan Beaton and flankers Henare Harris and Hamiora Rowlands, until he left the field with a neck injury, were tireless workers in the host pack.