Rugby: Central run up a half-century

Taradale's substitute frontrower Joe Simeon scores his team's bonus point try in Saturday's 30-15 win against Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Park Island. Photo/Duncan Brown

Central co-coach Rob Evans and his mates were struggling with a history assignment on Saturday night.

"We can't remember the last time we scored 50 points in a premier game," Evans said after Northfuels Central's 50-7 win against Tamatea in a Tui Nash Cup round two encounter at Waipukurau's Central Park. It is believed 1996 was the last time.

Supporters had a good day as all three of Central's afternoon grade teams won - the reserves beat Takapau 30-5 in a Town-Country grade clash and their colts walloped Aotea 100-12.

Evans said his entire squad combined well to produce their victory. Blindside flanker Cody Lancaster and lock Tom Syme were inspirational in the pack.

Winger Jackson Ellmers, making his first appearance in the starting XV, made the most of his opportunities in the hosts' backline.

Tamatea co-coach Aaron Painter said Central were more hungry than his troops and ran away in the second half after leading 17-7 at the interval.

Halfback Campbell Johnston and second five-eighth Wayne Nikora shone for Tamatea.

NOBM 30 Havelock 24

Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist were aware of the history in this Anderson Park victory.

They knew it was their second consecutive win at the venue and first Nash Cup win against the villagers since 2002. Hurricanes and Magpies lock Mark Abbott, who wasn't required for Super Rugby duty, scored a try in the last minute to give the visitors the bonus point for four tries and the outright lead in the competition. Havelock led 24-14 at halftime and NOBM had the breeze in the second half and did well to keep their hosts scoreless.

NOBM manager Mike Smith said their halfback-first five-eighth combination of Ellery Wilson and Tyrone Elkington-Macdonald controlled play well in the second half and benefited from a solid platform provided by their forwards. Busy No 8 Joseph Penitito was always a threat on the carry and deserved his two tries.

Progressive Meats Havelock North manager Richard Kinnear said the match, controlled by UK referee Ryan Smith, was a stop-start affair which prevented the hosts and defending champions from playing their usual free-flowing style.

Hurricanes wider training group prop Brendon Edmonds and flanker Blair Vernon were workaholics in the host pack while fullback J'ndre Liebenberg was the pick of the Havelock backs.

Taradale 30 Pirate 15

Carters Frame and Truss Taradale co-coach Blair Cross described this Park Island victory by his troops as "awful."

"We won but it was still awful. We bombed a lot of opportunities."

His team did well to keep the Pirate outfit tryless. Fullback Uta Tupuola marshalled Taradale's defence well and impressed on the counter attack.

Captain and flanker Andrew Gardner, lock Scott Wielinga replacement loosie Mark Atkins and first five-eighth Manihera Eden were all prominent as Taradale gained the upper hand in the second half. Pirate first five-eighth David Neilson did well to land all five of his penalty kicks at goal while lock Matt Brown and hooker Hamish Willis impressed with their never-say-die approach.

Pirate assistant coach Terrence Taylor agreed his side had areas to work on.

Hastings 22 MAC 3

IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports co-coach Karl Jones was happy with the improvement his team displayed from round one with this win at Flaxmere's Ron Giorgi Park.

Lock Tom Parsons and prop Jason Long led the Hastings pack by example. Midfielders Ausage Fomai and Mike Ward, winger Tom Iosefo and first five-eighth Angus Crompton were all constructive in the visiting backline.

MAC head coach Anthony Morley said basic errors, including too much spilled ball, let his troops down in what he described as "an arm wrestle". He added loosie Api Sione was unlucky to have a try disallowed.

Colin Hokianga, who had stints at halfback and centre, Sione and substitute halfback Brigham Morley all made coach Morley's MVP list.

Tech 35 Clive 30

Despite the second consecutive appearance of the season by former All Black and Magpies outside back Zac Guildford, Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical found the going tough in this Farndon Park win.

Clive's competitiveness was again praiseworthy. Prop Nathan Pulega, flanker Angus Benson and winger Zane Crook were the best of the Tech players. Aussie first five-eighth Kyle Beakey and midfield back Jacob Lowe operated well in the Clive backline while blindside flanker Jesse Tuhua had a high workrate in the host pack.