Promising loosehead prop Cam Pratt again had a massive workrate for the vistors.
Blindside flanker Jason Cutbush and tighthead prop Marcus Jackson were also prominent in the Central engine room.
"It was an amazing game to watch but I'm not a happy chappy," Clive coach Vaine Maui said.
His troops lacked the necessary direction and were guilty of mental lapses after leading 25-19 at halftime. Maui knows a third consecutive loss could result in last year's runners-up missing out on a semifinal berth.
Lock Rana Huata and No 8 Josh Eden-Whaitiri were workaholics in the host pack and winger Brendon Pena and second five-eighth Eti Collins were the pick of the backs.
NOBM 87 MAC 7
Winger Michael Buckley scored five tries for defending champions WIT Napier Old Boys Marist in this Flaxmere Park drubbing.
The fact NOBM were missing 12 of their 30-strong squad through injuries or unavailabilities made their 44th consecutive win more memorable. First five-eighth Johnny Lauano scored two tries and converted 11 of the visitors 13 tries for a 32-point haul.
Blindside flanker Ricky Hayes, captain and No 8 Chris Johnston and lock Tyler Symone-Bourke were all inspirational in the NOBM pack.
"They were too efficient and too clinical. We allowed them to get away on us with their high tempo game and they dealt to us at scrum time," MAC coach Anthony Morley said.
Loosie Fa'alemiga Selesele was gutsy in the host pack and fullback-centre Johnny Ika and winger Faleniu Iosi made the most of their limited opportunities in the MAC backline.
Hastings 32 Pirate 9
Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports gave centre Star Timu a winning 100th with this club day victory at Elwood Park.
Hooker Jacob Devery, who scored two tries, impressed in the Hastings engine room. Halfback Folau Fakatava and Ausage Fomai, who had stints at first five-eighth and second five-eighth, were enterprising Hastings backs.
Hastings manager James Rosenberg said the hosts had every right to be proud of their defensive effort.
"We had a good first half and plenty of opportunities but couldn't finish them off," Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports manager Charles Reid said.
Fullback Ted Symes and French halfback Luix Rossarie, in his final outing before returning to France, were the pick of the Pirate backs. Tighthead prop Pouri Rakete-Stones was again a powerful figure in the visiting pack.
Havelock North 10 Tech 8
Progressive Meats Havelock North gave captain and halfback Isaac Paewai a winning 150th with this club day win at Anderson Park.
"This win was the result of belief in the jersey and belief in Isaac. Isaac was again consistent ... but he seldom has a bad game," Havelock manager Gary Revell said.
Paewai's co-captain, No 8 Phil McRoberts, and openside flanker Adam Bradey led the host pack by example. Fullback Adam Blake also made Revell's MVP list.
"As the score suggests it was an intense battle. While our boys had missed opportunities they still played well," Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical manager Cyril Whitburn said.
Openside flanker Slade Lange and locks Elijah Martin and Todd Cushing provided plenty of grunt to the Texans pack.
Taradale 21 Tamatea 15
Taradale Rugby and Sports conceded a couple of late tries, one of which was a penalty try, but were otherwise happy with this Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park win.
Centre and co-captain Kaleb Whakataka produced a player-of-the-match display for the visitors. Openside flanker Francis Ah Lim and tighthead prop Kelsey Miller were full of authority in the visiting pack.
First five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie was the pick of the Tamatea backs. Tighthead prop Mason Kean and No 8 Everard Reid displayed the benefits of their vast experience at this level in the host pack.
