His performance reminded spectators of the corresponding game two seasons ago when he kicked a last-second penalty at the same venue to give his side a 21-18 win. Neilson finished that game with 16 points.
Pirate coach Andy Lord, referring to his team's 35-7 loss to Taradale in the Nash Cup round, said, "Taradale showed us four weeks ago the level we had to reach and we did that today."
Along with Neilson, prop Sean Morrison, halfback Jonathan Ruru and substitute frontrower Kelsey Miller, were all key architects of the cohesive team effort.
Carters Frame and Truss Taradale coach Steve Bennett was full of praise for the visitors.
"While you never want to lose it's probably better to happen now than at the business end of the season," he said.
Flanker Tom Stanley, No8 Kaleb Sweet and prop Mike McLachlan were the hosts' best.
-Hastings 32 NOBM 12
Lock George Crichton and winger Timo Vaiusu celebrated their 50th games for Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports in style with this upset at Elwood Park.
"That's the performance we've been waiting for all season," Hastings co-coach Karl Jones said.
Captain and flanker Ben Hamelink, second five-eighth Ausage Fomai and his brother Tivaini Fomai, who had stints at hooker and No8, were all inspirational. Prop Jason Long, fullback-centre Star Timu were also impressive in an outfit that benefited from quality impact off the bench.
Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist manager Mike Smith said his troops were hustled at the breakdown, conceded too many penalties and made numerous unforced errors.
After finishing second in the Nash Cup NOBM are eighth in the Maddison Trophy.
Halfback Ellery Wilson and No8 Joseph Penitito shone with their never-say-die approach for the visitors.
-MAC 25 Clive 12
K9 Petfoods Clive coach Andy Green reckoned his team shouldn't have been on the receiving end of a 15-3 penalty count in this Farndon Park loss.
"The referee and his assistants aren't wired up and that hurts us," Green said.
Clive played with 14 men for 50 minutes after flanker James Tango was red-carded and then with 13 for a period in the second half when another player was sinbinned. While MAC coach Anthony Morley was thrilled to gain revenge for a 20-8 loss four weeks ago, he was disappointed his players didn't capitalise on more opportunities.
Prop Mason Kean, blindside flanker Paula Latu and substitute prop Asher Mitchell, who made his premier debut during the final 10 minutes, all made Morley's MVP list. Centre Jonah Lowe, flanker Jesse Tuhua, who was playing his 50th match, and captain and hooker Jorian Tangaere were Clive's best.
-Central 34 Tamatea 22
Northfuels Central forward Warwick Slingsby scored a try in his 200th appearance for the hosts in this Waipukurau clash.
Central coach Exham Wichman was impressed with how well both teams have improved since they last met four weeks ago. His openside flanker Kurt Baker had a huge work rate while winger Karawa Russell and halfback Daniel Hardwidge shone with their sense of adventure in the winning backline.
Tamatea coach Tane Cooper described the game as "the battle of the year" for his team which went off the boil for 10 minutes in each half and paid the price. Lock Ivan Bellamy, prop Alex Kireka-Starnes and first five-eighth Ash Robinson were the pick of the visitors.
-Havelock 25 Tech 21
Halfback Isaac Paewai was Progressive Meats Havelock North's hero in this Whitmore Park encounter.
"Tech's scrum was pretty good but Isaac got us out of trouble with good clearances," Havelock manager Conrad Waitoa said.
Fullback Shannan Chase was also classy in the winning backline while hooker Matt Phillips and prop Emmanuel Maui impressed with their defensive work.
Tech manager Cyril Whitburn said another poor start made it tough for his troops. Busy No8 Trent Boswell-Wakefield, hooker Nathan Pulega and first five-eighth Tane McGuire all made Whitburn's MVP list.
