It wasn't the welcome home former Magpies captain and midfield back Jason Shoemark, who took the field as a 49th-minute substitute for Taradale, wanted. Magpies No8 Mark Atkins was the best of the visitors.
"We had our opportunities but didn't take all of them. At the same time Havelock's defence was pretty solid," Taradale co-coach Blair Cross said.
Hastings 30 Pirate 26
IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports gave their co-coach Aaron Bartlett the perfect 54th birthday present with this upset win at Tamatea Park.
"It was a top team effort from our boys. We led 20-8 at halftime but Pirates came back well in the second half and it was 23-all before we scored a late converted try to win," Bartlett's co-coach Karl Jones explained.
Captain and hooker Tivaini Fomai, lock Tom Parsons and first five-eighth Angus Compton, who scored the matchwinning try, all made Jones MVP list. Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports missed the services of lock Michael Allardice and prop Adrian Barone who were injured at Magpies training during the week.
Workaholic lock Matt Brown and blindside flanker Aaron McPhee led the host pack by example in their absence. Wingers Brynn Uriarau and Tom Nicoll were big threats in the Pirate backline.
Central 31 MAC 30
MAC head coach Anthony Morley reckoned it was a "controversial" conversion which denied his team victory at Flaxmere Park.
"Several of our stalwarts who aren't known to give the touchies and referees a hard time let them know afterwards because they were adamant it didn't go over.
"But nothing will change the loss we will read about in the paper on Monday morning," Morley said.
Northfuels Central manager Tony Lepelaars was proud of the manner his troops recovered from a 15-7 halftime deficit. Centre Kane Nepe-Apatu and fullback Karl Lepelaars were enterprising in the visiting backline and openside flanker Sam Bishop was the pick of the Central forwards.
Lock Everard Reid again displayed his class for MAC and his 70-metre try was the best of the game.
Halfback William Schuster, captain and centre Ihaka Waerea and first five-eighth Tianua Poto all had memorable moments in the host backline.
Tech 33 Tamatea 12
Tamatea co-coach Aaron Painter was praising his team's first half effort after this Bill Mathewson Park loss. "We won the first half [12-7] but lacked the necessary fitness in the second half. That will only improve with better turnouts at trainings," Painter explained.
Experienced fullback Jason Robinson was the best of the Tamatea backs. Prop Iese Mulitalo and No8 Ivan Bellamy were full of authority in the host pack.
Powerful No8 Palu Tonga, in his first game back from injury, and captain and openside flanker Hugh Reed were prominent as the Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical forwards gained the upper hand in the second half. Second five-eighth Tane McGuire was constructive in the winning backline.
NOBM 47 Clive 10
Returning Magpie Matt Berquist played the first 60 minutes for Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist during this Farndon Park win.
"Matt was quite composed and produced some good counter attacks," NOBM manager Mike Smith said.
Centre Leo Ene was another to shine in the winning backline. Flanker William Benson and tighthead prop Jarvy Aoake were tireless workers in the NOBM pack.
Loosies Adam Jones and Rocky Pohatu and lock Rana Huata impressed with their never-say-die approach in the Clive pack. Aussie first five-eighth Kyle Beakey operated well in the host backline.
