Tamatea captain and prop Mason Kean is all smiles after his team's try against Havelock North on Saturday. Photo/Paul Taylor
Clive head coach Vaine Maui anticipated a Napier Old Boys Marist backlash on Saturday ... but not one as big as was dished up.
"They're a class outfit, no doubt about that," Maui said after his K9 Petfoods Clive side was handed an 84-12 drubbing by WIT Napier Old Boys Marist in the feature Tui Maddison Trophy round five match at Park Island.
His NOBM counterpart Craig Gowler said he couldn't have asked for a better response to his team's first loss in 46 matches, the previous weekend's 47-20 defeat against Hastings Rugby and Sports.
"I told you after our loss to Hastings it could be good for our team. Hopefully I'm right.
"After that loss we put in a good week of training and focused on enjoying the rest of the season," Gowler explained.
"Today was not only about putting on a good performance for Minga and Stretch," he said referring to second five-eighth and Migao Lauano and lock Matt Thompson who played their 250th and 100th matches respectively for the team.
"It was also about performing well for our wives and partners, our women supporters who we spent a good day with at the club before the game."
Lock Sean Skeet was the hosts player-of-the-day with a powerful shift. Lauano's brother, first five-eighth Johnny Lauano, scored 19 points with a try and seven conversions and centre Shae Tucker scored three tries.
Captain and blindside flanker Josh Eden-Whaitiri was a tireless worker in the visiting pack and halfback Bronson Hokianga and centre Eti Collins also made Maui's MVP list.
Havelock North 29 Tamatea 7
It will be a harsh call if Jarks Tamatea captain and prop Mason Kean doesn't secure a third consecutive Mitre 10 Cup contract this season.
Kean was again the best forward on the paddock during this loss at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park with powerful scrummaging, a huge defensive workrate and numerous carries. His bottom-of-the-table outfit made Progressive Meats Havelock North work hard for their four tries.
The villagers secured a top four berth with the win and they are unlikely to relinquish it if they continue to be as solid as they were on defence and as clinical on attack. Former Magpies winger Mikey Vuicakau is still hot property.
Fullback Adam Blake also impressed in the winning backline while former Tech hooker Lani Latu and loosies Jacob Stephenson and Phil McRoberts were prominent in the winning pack. Veteran No 8 Everard Reid and flanker Jimi Harris joined Kean as the best of the Tamatea forwards while first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie again operated well.
Pirate 15 Central 13
A last second penalty from substitute first five-eighth Rana Hubbard gave Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports this Tamatea Park victory.
This was the hosts second win of the season and their previous victory was also against Northfuels Central. Props Sean Morrison and Pouri Rakete-Stones and flanker Damien Scott all made manager Charles Reid's MVP list. Winger Kane Nepe-Apatu had some memorable carries.
Central manager Ian Large said his troops were gutted with the loss but it was always going to be a tough assignment with several key players unavailable. Veteran No 8 Warwick Slingsby was again a workaholic and fullback Karl Lepelaars and centre Lewis Marshall were the pick of the visiting backs.
Taradale 69 Tech 5
Taradale Rugby and Sports exposed a below-strength Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical's weaknesses in emphatic fashion with this Whitmore Park drubbing.
Outside backs Brynn Uriarau and Ashton Tuck relished the extra space they had against the Texans makeshift backline and scored two tries each. Flanker Nathan Tweedy was the best of the Taradale forwards.
Prop Tere Joel and lock Elijah Martin shone with their never-say-die approach in the host pack. Winger Junior Saufoi made the most of his limited opportunities in the losing backline.
Hastings 38 MAC 14
MAC coach Anthony Morley praised referee Mark Johnson's contribution to this entertaining encounter at Flaxmere Park.
Morley also ranked his new Magpies wider training group loosie Solomone Funaki as the best forward on the paddock. Prop Paipai Siofolau was another full of authority in the host pack.
Regular entertainers, first five-eighth Tom Iosefo, centre Vai Kereti and winger Falelio Iosi were full of enterprise in the MAC backline. Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports coach Bevan Lynch said his unbeaten competition leaders also enjoyed the entertaining physical battle.
Loosie Fale Matamata and prop Jason Long led the winning pack by example while centre Ausage Fomai was thirsty for work in the Hastings backline.