WILL IT be a "Crusaders-type finish" from Napier Old Boys Marist in Hawke's Bay's premier club rugby competition this season?
Several Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited NOBM fans were asking the question as they left Park Island after their team's 23-14 upset win against Carters Frame and Truss Taradale in an eighth round Tui Maddison Trophy fixture on Saturday. They were comparing the side with Super Rugby's Crusaders who have often qualified for the playoffs after shaky starts to their campaigns and NOBM remain in semifinal contention despite three consecutive losses at the start of the comp and another in round six.
"It keeps us in the hunt and while we were hunting the bonus point towards the end it was always going to be tough in these miserable conditions," NOBM manager Mike Smith said.
If his side secures the maximum five points off Clive this weekend and Taradale don't get more than two competition points off Havelock North, NOBM will snatch a semifinal berth.
NOBM were always in front against Taradale. Winger Migao Lauano secured player-of-the-match honours with his safe play under the high ball and accurate kick returns. Regular midfield back Chris Johnston was again impressive at openside flanker while second five-eighth Sam Giddens and hooker Lalu Ta'a were other valuable contributors.
Prop Ezra Amituanai, hooker Mike Sosene-Feagai and lock Angelo Mufana were all prominent for the visitors.
-Hastings 30 Clive 3
Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports second five-eighth Ausage Fomai and hooker Aaron McGrail were given winning 50ths with this Elwood Park victory.
It was also an appropriate performance following the funeral earlier in the day for club stalwart Enoka ChungChing who died the previous Monday. His son Enoka junior is a member of the team.
Tighthead prop Paulo Nu'u and captain and flanker Ben Hamelink were inspirational in the host pack. Halfback Jayden Rihia shone with his option taking.
K9 Petfoods Clive coach Andy Green was pleased with the effort from his troops as they could only field the minimum 15 and this included assistant coach Vaine Maui who played at second five-eighth. Captain and No 8 Rocky Pohatu and veteran lock Sven Hogenesch were a gritty pair in the visiting pack.
-Havelock 14 Central 5
Progressive Meats Havelock North winger Mikey Vuicakau celebrated his 50th outing with a try in this Anderson Park win.
As the score suggests Northfuels Central's defence was superb for long periods and the visitors again proved how well they can adapt to atrocious weather conditions. Unbeaten defending champions Havelock North played with 14 players for 20 minutes in the second half as centre Kalin Paewai and loosie Luke Ottley both had stints in the sinbin. Player-coach Adam Bradey produced a player-of-the-match display at fullback.
Busy No 8 Harlan Solomon and lock Bronson Primmer had the necessary energy levels in the winning pack. Central coach Exham Wichman, who played 134 games for Havelock, said all 22 of his players deserve praise for their competitive display.
"We had our chances but you have to play for 80 minutes to beat a champion team like Havelock."
Openside flanker Tom Syme, who was also playing his 50th, and hooker Liam O'Dowd provided plenty of grunt in the visiting engine room.
-Pirate 35 MAC 12
Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports remained on track for a home semifinal with this victory in a niggly Flaxmere Park encounter.
Two players from each team were sinbinned and MAC loosie Larry Olive was ordered off.
Pirate halfback Jonathan Ruru again enhanced his reputation as the best No 9 in the comp and scored two tries as he secured player-of-the-game honours.
Winger Matt Garland and lock Mike Albert were also prominent for the visitors. Blindside flanker Paula Latu was devastating on the carry for MAC and No 8 Everard Reid and hooker Amiga Mikaele were others to shine in the host pack.
Halfback Colin Hokianga and utility Tom Iosefo had memorable moments in the MAC backline.
-Tech 47 Tamatea 0
Former Samoa under-21 hooker Semiperive Semeane produced another blockbusting display at No 8 for Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical in this Bill Mathewson Park romp.
Semeane, who scored two tries, joined lock Guy Morris as the architects of a dominant performance from the visiting pack.
First five-eighth Dylan Ramsay and second five-eighth Ted Walters combined well in the Tech backline.
A lack of players forced Tamatea's coach Tane Cooper to play the entire game at hooker. His props Alex Kireka-Starnes and Chas Manaena were tireless and second five-eighth Henare Harris was the best of the Tamatea backs.