Rugby: Emotional shield hero centre had it taped

Jayden Stok receives the Taupo Trophy for player of the tournament from former All Black centre Ian MacRae. Photo / Duncan Brown

Napier Ross Shield centre Jayden Stok had the name Aunty Sharni written on the tape around both of his wrists on Saturday.

"I nearly cried. My winning of the Taupo Trophy was dedicated to her," Stok said after receiving the trophy for the player of the tournament from former All Black and Magpies centre Ian MacRae.

He was referring to Sharni McDougall, a former Hawke's Bay Tuis and Clive frontrower, who died two years ago after a battle with cancer. "Aunty Sharni was my hero of all the players around the Bay but at a professional level it would be Jonah Lomu," Stok said.

He finished the five-day tournament with seven tries including one in Napier's 38-5 walloping of Hastings West as they completed an unbeaten run to capture the shield at the end of the 114th edition of the Heinz Wattie's/Hastings Pak'n Save-sponsored tournament at Lindisfarne College.

A first-year Ross Shield player, Stok was thrilled with how well the team performed on the way to scoring 279 points while conceding 20 in their five games.

Napier also received the Ron Pierce Trophy for sportsmanship on and off the field and No8 Jamie Ross captured the Jarrod Cunningham Trust Scholarship which will enable him to attend an International Rugby Academy of New Zealand course in Palmerston North next year.

Stok started playing as a 3-year-old at the Taradale club and has been with the Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports club since the 10th grade. The Tamatea Intermediate School Year-8 student has yet to decide which secondary school he will attend next year but after last week's success he's unlikely to be short of offers.

Ross and Stok were two of 10 Napier players selected in the Hawke's Bay squad of 21. Continuing the Napier domination of the post-tourney presentations, former Napier coach Arthur Brown was awarded life membership.

"I didn't pick we would have that much success here," Napier head coach Clint Chamberlain said.

"After dealing with the weight issues on the Monday we gradually got better with each game," Chamberlain said, referring to the fact many players struggle to meet the 56kg weight limit for the event.

Six of his squad, including talented flanker Kere Penitito, a brother of Magpies loosie Joseph Penitito, will be eligible for the team next year.

"We've got something to build on and we will try and maintain this standard," Chamberlain added.

Wairoa took home the Life Members Salver for the best country team. They also had five players selected in the Hawke's Bay team - their best return for several seasons.

Central recovered from a 12-7 half-time deficit to beat Dannevirke 26-19 in Saturday's clash of the previously winless teams.

One of the best quotes of the week came from Ross Shield Committee chairman Malcolm Dixon on Saturday:

"I've watched four games of rugby today and the best three by far were here."

Dixon was expressing his concern at the poor display from the All Blacks earlier in the day.

But Dixon can't wait to see how many players from last week's tournament go on to All Black level.