Support Please: Taradale centre Kaleb Whakataka seeks assistance as Tech's Ted Walters applies defensive pressure. Photo/Paul Taylor
Napier Technical premier rugby flanker Vinny Guildford is just as hard on himself as he is on opposing players.
"One day earlier this year I woke up and told myself I've got all this talent and it's a waste not playing. I decided to get serious again and I'm hoping to crack the Hawke's Bay Development and Magpies teams within the coming years," Guildford said after his player-of-the-match display as Tech spoilt Taradale's club day celebrations with a 21-10 win in a Maddison Trophy first-round encounter at Tareha Reserve on Saturday.
A cousin of former All Black Zac Guildford, Guildford, was the player-of-the-tournament at the 2011 Hurricanes under-16 tournament in New Plymouth. In 2012 and 2013 he was a key member of the Napier Boys' High School 1st XV and apart from a dabble at colts level two years ago he hadn't played any rugby before linking up with the Althern Window Systems Napier Technical side six weeks ago.
"You know the high standards I set myself back in the day. I know I've got miles to go ... I've been doing heaps of running and hitting the gym. I'm 94kgs now and I know 98 will be better," Guildford said.
The Texans were relentless on defence and more patient and systematic on attack against Carters Frame and Truss Taradale than they were during the Nash Cup rounds. Along with Guildford, hooker Conan Houkamau, No8 Kaleb Sweet and captain and prop Mark Braidwood were prominent in a pack which had no passengers. Substitute first five-eighth Tamati Samuels was classy in his return from All Black Sevens duty in London.
Taradale co-coach Mutu Ngarimu agreed his troops paid the price for failing to convert pressure into points during key moments.
"While we didn't get the win and it was a learning curve for the boys we still put on spirited performance for Rex," Ngarimu said referring to life member Rex Maxwell who died earlier last week and whose funeral will be held at the club today.
Two of Maxwell's grandsons, substitute winger Hemi Waerea, who scored a try, and substitute frontrower Ellery Tareha, played for the hosts. Captain and lock Andrew Gardner and prop James Humphries were a powerful pair in the Taradale engine room.
Havelock North 46 Tamatea 24
Like the Texans Progressive Meats Havelock North gained revenge for a Nash Cup round defeat with this Anderson Park victory.
First season blindside flanker Jonty Strong was again dynamic in all aspects of play for the villagers. Halfback Taylar Greville and lock Bronson Primmer were also prominent for Havelock.
Blindside flanker Eugene Sandiland and lock Ivan Bellamy were workaholics in the Tamatea pack. First five-eighth, New Zealand open men's touch representative Ash Robinson-Bartlett, was the best of the Tamatea backs.
"We trailed 8-7 at halftime and our first 30 minutes was the best we had played all season. We just lack the necessary patience," Tamatea coach Matt Marsh said.
NOBM 88 MAC 7
Blockbusting No8 Joseph Penitito again enhanced his chances of a Magpies recall with five tries for defending champions Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist in this Park Island drubbing.
The match was originally scheduled to be played at Tamatea Park but was transferred to Tremain Field when a leg injury delayed the curtainraiser at Tamatea Park. Veteran prop Mike King, in his first starting XV appearance of the season, and lock Ricky Hayes joined Penitito as the pick of the Green Machine's forwards.
Second five-eighth Paul Bickle impressed in an NOBM backline which was directed well by halfback Ellery Wilson.
"NOBM were pretty to watch. They were awesome and at times unreal," MAC manager Narley Tuliau said.
Second five-eighth Tai Vaiusu and fullback-first five-eighth Willie Schuster were busy defenders in the MAC backline while hooker Amiga Mikaele again had a high workrate. Substitute second five-eighth Kendall Gemmell had some memorable moments.
Clive 28 Pirate 25
A 77th-minute try gave K9 Petfoods Clive this club day victory at Farndon Park.
Promising lock Dusky Pineaha and experienced No8 Api Sione, in his return after a head knock five weeks ago, provided plenty of grunt to the riversiders' pack. Clive's halfback-first five-eighth combo of Bronson Hokianga and Tianua Poto combined well for a team which head coach Blair Cross said conceded too many penalties.
"Yes this was a topsy-turvy game we should have had. But I'm happy with our improvement ... our forwards played well, we just need to sharpen up our back play," Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports manager Charles Reid said.
Busy No8 Aaron McPhee, lock Tama Cahill and second five-eighth Kane Nepe-Apatu all made Reid's MVP list.
Hastings 37 Central 22
Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports produced their best rugby of the season during the first 30 minutes of this win at Waipukurau's Central Park.
"We built some phases, played error-free footy and our set piece was solid. We scored some long-range tries and we had to play well to beat Central so we're pretty pleased," Hastings co-manager James Rosenberg said.
Hooker Jacob Devery, who scored two tries, and lock Ben Parsons battled effectively in the winning pack while halfback Jayden Rihia and first five-eighth Jardine Chung Ching controlled the tempo well.
Northfuels Central manager Ian Large said his troops lacked possession in the first half but fought back well in the second. Hooker Hamish Carroll and first-season prop Mitchell McFadden were gutsy in the host pack and second five-eighth Kody Lancaster was the best of the Central backs.