"We had patches of dominance but couldn't capitalise. It's the first time I've seen MAC go hard for the full 80 minutes," he added, before singling out lock Phil McRoberts, who was making his debut for the team, openside flanker Tony Lamborn and halfback Isaac Paewai as the visitors' best.
-Taradale 35 Tech 22
Carters Frame and Truss Taradale midfield back Billy Ropiha proved how eager he is for a starting berth in the Magpies three early season Ranfurly Shield defences with a hattrick in this home victory.
"That's definitely the goal. After missing most of the Magpies season last year through injury and a drop of form, I want to make it really tough for the Super boys when they return," Ropiha said.
Saturday's match was his first following a three-week spell after returning from a four-month playing stint in Sri Lanka. Ropiha proved he could also be a back-up goalkicker for the Magpies with two conversions from as many attempts.
Captain and No8 Andrew Gardner, hooker Michelangelo Sosene-Feagai and halfback Karl Hewitt were others to shine for the hosts. Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical competed well in patches and former Taradale winger Nathan Ramsay scored a try which put the visitors ahead 22-21 with 11 minutes remaining.
Props Mark Braidwood and Sam Mann, before he retired with a shoulder injury, joined flanker Levi Guildford as the pick of the Tech players.
-Pirate 19 NOBM 17
Former Hawks basketballer Roger McPherson was the toast of the Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports side after they captured the Leadbetter-Macdonald Cup with this Tamatea Park win.
With his team trailing by two points, veteran lock McPherson scored his second try in the 79th minute to secure the win. Others to make Pirate coach Andy Lord's MVP list were player of the match, halfback Jonathan Ruru, and promising centre Hayden Hann.
"We didn't hit our straps and the Pirate boys dominated the breakdown area," Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist manager Mike Smith said.
Outstanding defence and blockbusting carries saw No8 Joseph Penitito earn the visitors player of the match award. Halfback Ellery Wilson and second-five Sam Mirangaorangi operated well in the NOBM backline.
NOBM first-five Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald is likely to be out of action for at least three weeks with a knee injury and Pirate prop Kelsey Miller may miss a game or two after being ordered off.
-Hastings 34 Central 29
"It was an ugly win but we will take it."
These were Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports co-coach Aaron Bartlett's words after this encounter at Waipukurau's Central Park. Centre Mike Ward, halfback Enoka Chung Ching and first five-eighth Ioane Ioane were the pick of the visitors.
Considering how close they were to withdrawing from the competition a month ago, Northfuels Central can be proud of their performance and the fact they finished with two competition points - one for four tries and another for finishing within seven points.
Openside flanker Tom Symes and tighthead prop Marcus Jackson, playing his 100th match, led the Central forwards by example. Second-five Cole Eru was constructive in the hosts' backline.
-Clive 46 Tamatea 17
K9 Petfoods Clive captain and hooker Jorian Tangaere matched his relation Ropiha's hattrick during his team's Bill Mathewson Park victory. Busy No8 Rocky Pohatu was also inspirational in the Clive pack. Winger-fullback Nathan Worsley and winger Sakapo Ofa seized their chances.
Tamatea captain Henre Harris and fellow flanker Tiwai Tomoana were pests at the breakdown while second five-eighth Johnny Crichton made an admirable contribution to the hosts' backline.
