This saw Johnston, 26, become the fifth weekly winner in the battle for the McDonalds-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award.
"I'm happy with my form but at the same time I'm still trying to adapt to the new breakdown rules. You have to pick and choose your battles because it's a lot harder to get a turnover at every breakdown now. Sometimes it's my job to make space for someone else to have a crack and that's why we are fortunate to have plenty of depth in the loose forward department with the likes of Hannon Brighouse, Matt Gardner and Ricky Hayes," Johnston explained.
"There's talk Will Tremain will return to the Bay from Wellington in time for the second round. With the field on our home ground named after his family we expect he will play for us."
A livestock agent for PGG Wrightson Ltd, Johnston is in his fourth season with NOBM after one with Napier Technical.
Although the Green Machine have recorded 39 consecutive wins in Hawke's Bay premier games, Johnston pointed out there has been no talk about trying to match or better the record of 46 set by Clive from 1999 to 2001.
"It would be a nice achievement but with the new format in the Nash Cup where quarter-finals, semifinals and a final are played it's important we take one week at a time. Every team wants to be the one to beat us ... all we can do is trust our systems and do as we do."
Jizzle (Johnston's nickname) pointed out NOBM's second round win against Tech, when they came from behind to win by 10 points during the final quarter, was a prime example of the trust they have in each other to run the ball back from behind their posts.
"A few teams have taken on our style of play. The key is how well they adapt to it and do it under pressure."
The former Waikato Development team player has certainly made the most of his switch back to the openside flanker role.
He was a regular No 7 until his final year at Tauranga Boys' College in 2009 when fellow openside and future All Blacks loosie Sam Cane arrived at the school.
The pair had a coin toss for the No 7 jersey which Johnston lost. He played second five-eighth from that season until 2015 when he was called back to openside duties courtesy of a high injury toll among the NOBM loosies.
In previous seasons Johnston was into crossfit in a big way. However he has scaled back those commitments this season as he focuses on Mitre 10 Cup squad selection.
"I'm busy with work and wider training group commitments. It's important I have a consistent club season so I can achieve Magpies selection," he added.
Best & fairest
NOBM v Taradale: 3, Chris Johnston (NOBM); 2, Sam Weber (NOBM); 1, Ricky Hayes (NOBM).
Clive v MAC: 3, Josh Kaifa (Clive); 2, Johnny Ika (MAC); 1, Sasa Tofilau (Clive).
Havelock North v Pirate: 3, Adam Bradey (Havelock); 2, Pouri Rakete-Stones (Pirate); 1, Teihana Brown (Havelock).
Hastings v Tamatea: 3, Thomas Agnew (Hastings); 2, Aleki Vuki (Hastings); 1, Mason Kean (Tamatea).
Napier Technical v Central: 3, Tane McGuire (Tech), 2, Sebastian Visibia; 1, Slade Lange.
Leaderboard: 8 points: Aleki Vuki (Hastings). 6: Chris Johnston, Hannon Brighouse (both NOBM); Johnny Ika (MAC). 5: Sam Weber (NOBM). 4: William McGoon (Havelock North), Everard Reid, Lincoln McClutchie (both Tamatea).
