Pirate 34 Tech 23
This Whitmore Park loss wasn't the sendoff former All Black and Magpie Zac Guildford wanted in his final outing for Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical before beginning his three-year contract with the Clermont Auvergne club in France.
Despite being closely marked Guildford, playing at fullback on the fifth anniversary of his father Rob's death in Japan, was always a threat. He put his outside runners in space and often carved up valuable metres with huge punts.
Tanalised Napier Pirate and Rugby and Sports had too much heavy artillery for their injury-hit opponents. So much that Magpies prop Adrian Barone and lock Michael Allardice and experienced prop Kelsey Miller were used as substitutes. Busy No8 Marcus Donovan, hooker Hamish Willis and promising prop Sean Morrison all impressed in a cohesive Pirate pack.
Centre Matt Hill and winger Brynn Uriarau made the most of their opportunities in the visiting backline. Openside flanker and captain Hugh Reed and No8 Trent Boswell-Wakefield were again the kingpins in the Tech pack and second five-eighth Tane McGuire and halfback Scott Mogford had memorable moments in the defending champions backline.
NOBM 45 MAC 9
Former MAC prop Chris Benson produced a player-of-the-match display for Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist as they gained revenge for a Nash Cup round loss with this emphatic Park Island victory.
Playing the loosehead role, Benson, impressed with his scrummaging and mobility in general play. His brother and former Olympic Games swimmer William Benson, another former MAC player, shone as a blindside flanker. French halfback Boris Bouhraoua seldom took a wrong option and his distribution was classy.
First five-eighth Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald scored 20 of NOBM's points with four conversions and four penalties from nine attempts at goal. A couple of sinbinnings saw MAC with 14 players for the final 10 minutes and 13 for the last five.
Lock Everard Reid and loosies Malele Fa'aopopo and Hyrah Wainohu and halfback William Schuster all made MAC head coach Anthony Morley's MVP list.
Havelock 52 Clive 3
Centre Trinity Spooner-Neera grabbed three of Progressive Meats Havelock North's eight tries as the villagers again showpieced their attacking class with this Farndon Park walloping.
It was Spooner-Neera's best display of the season. His 2013 Magpies teammate, winger Mikey Vuicakau, made the most of his opportunities and deserved his two tries.
Loosehead prop and club centurion Emmanuel Maui was a powerful figure in the winning pack. Lock George Philip and second five-eighth Kalin Paewai made commendable returns from injury spells.
Halfback Dan Montaperto and Aussie first five-eighth Kyle Beakey joined No8 Rocky Pohatu on Clive head coach Andy Green's MVP list.
Taradale 46 Central 7
Carters Frame and Truss Taradale produced a polished rehearsal for this coming weekend's top-of-the-table clash with Havelock with this home win.
Lock Scott Wielinga was an inspirational defender for the unbeaten Mighty Maroons and gained player-of-the-match honours. Billy Ropiha was constructive in both midfield positions and fullback Wade Woolley was another to shine in the winning backline.
Northfuels Central prop Andrew Martin and substitute Warwick Slingsby, who had stints at prop and blindside flanker, battled effectively in the losing pack and winger Harry de Lautour was thirsty for work.
