His 19-year-old brother Neil Burns was impressive at first five-eighth for the hosts and succeeded with four of his six attempts at goal in difficult windy conditions.
"I brought Neil back with me when I returned so I wouldn't get homesick," Burns quipped.
Former Magpies No8 Peniasi Tokakece was again a powerful figure in the winning pack and former Magpies fullback James Rosenberg displayed the benefits of his vast experience. French halfback Boris Bouhraoua had a memorable debut for NOBM and his slick passing was a highlight.
Promising No8 Joseph Penitito and prop Chris Benson were prominent in the visiting pack. Second five-eighth Tyrone Elkington-Macdonald did well to land four of his five attempts at goal including a 56m penalty.
Taradale 74 Tamatea 0
With the Nash Cup already secured, Carters Frame and Truss Taradale co-coaches Blair Cross and Steve Bennett used this Bill Mathewson Park walloping to give their second stringers plenty of game time.
One of them, Wade Woolley, grabbed player-of-the-game honours after a 40-minute stint at fullback and another at first five-eighth. Hooker Carl Lawson and left winger Andrew Wilson were others to shine in the win.
Tamatea co-coach Aaron Painter said he was lucky to field a team for the game but the positive was several of the club's development grade and colts players had a taste of premier level requirements. He said the Maddison Trophy round will be easier for his winless side with the development grade always playing at the same venue.
MAC 30 Clive 28
MAC head coach Anthony Morley described this Flaxmere Park win as a "fierce battle".
"Clive competed admirably and never gave up. We needed a late try from Everard [captain and No8 Everard Reid] to win."
Reid was again prominent in a host pack where openside flanker Api Sione produced a player-of-the-match performance against his former side. First five-eighth Tianua Poto directed the MAC backline well.
Loose forwards Rocky Pohatu and Jesse Tuhua were industrious in the Clive pack. Lock Rana Huata displayed the benefits of some intense crossfit training and completed 70 minutes comfortably and Aussie first five-eighth Kyle Beakey was the pick of the Clive backs.
Tech 46 Central 19
Northfuels Central manager Tony Lepelaars claimed old habits of the "unwanted kind" marred this Central Park, Waipukurau loss.
"It was a bit like last year's games when we played good 40 minute stints on a regular basis. The boys certainly responded to the co-coaches fired-up halftime talk ... maybe the coaches need to raise their voices before the kick off," Lepelaars quipped.
Tech Group of Companies No8 Trent Boswell-Wakefield was the key architect of his team's first win in four outings and grabbed a hat-trick. Prop Nathan Pulega, openside flanker Hugh Reed and hooker Matt Meyers were other tireless workers in the winning pack, while winger Asaia Spooner-Pedersen, who scored two tries, was always a threat before collecting a hamstring injury.
Lock Hugh Graham, prop Andrew Martin and hooker Liam O'Dowd were inspirational in Central's respectable second- half effort.
Havelock Nth 24 Pirate 19
Progressive Meats Havelock North also produced contrasting halves in this Park Island victory.
"Our first half was good and our second shocking ... we bombed four tries," Havelock North co-coach Davis Norman said referring to his troops 19-0 halftime lead.
Centre Trinity Spooner-Neera and fullback Ryan Tongia were full of enterprise in the villagers' backline and openside flanker Tony Lamborn the best of the visiting forwards.
Blindside flanker Gerome Naera was a workaholic in the host pack while centre Matt Hill, in his 50th match, and fullback Ted Symes were the best of the Pirate backs.
