The Clive scrum functioned well and all of the Clive forwards were eager for work at pick and go time. Hooker Jorian Tangaere and flanker Jesse Tuhua had huge workrates.
Clive first five-eighth Tianua Poto's goalkicking, four successes from five attempts, was outstanding considering the windy conditions. However, he was guilty of not creating enough attacking opportunities for talented centre Jonah Lowe who deserved a better result on his 19th birthday.
-Taradale 21 MAC 20
It took a 78th minute penalty from first five-eighth Manihera Eden for Carters Frame and Truss Taradale to retain the Hawke's Bay Challenge Shield with this home win.
"It was a patchy win from us. At the same time MAC played well," Taradale manager Paul Atkins said.
While Eden controlled his backline well, openside flanker Tom Stanley and hooker Mike Sosene-Feagai were inspirational in the host pack. MAC coach Len Huia agreed his troops went well but said first half mistakes proved costly.
Fullback Jason Kereti, the halfback-first five-eighth combo of Colin Hokianga and Tom Iosefo and winger Penikolo Latu were all classy in the MAC backline as the visitors went close to ending the defending champions unbeaten run. Captain and No 8 Everard Reid and openside flanker Malele Fa'aopopo were full of authority in the MAC pack.
-Pirate 29 Central 21
Squandered opportunities proved costly for Northfuels Central in this home defeat.
"It took us 20 minutes to get started and while we were there or there abouts those first-quarter lapses killed us," Central coach Exham Wichman said.
Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports manager Charles Reid said the visitors did well to establish a 19-7 halftime lead but couldn't finish off several of their opportunities in the second half. Centre Ted Symes was the best of the Pirate backs while props Conrad Rieter and Stephen Morrison and No8 Tom Nicol were tireless in the winning pack.
Hooker Warwick Slingsby, who scored three tries, and openside flanker Kurt Walker battled effectively in the host pack while second five-eighth Cole Eru again shone in the Central backline.
-Hastings 87 Tamatea 3
Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports listed improved defence as a major priority going into this Elwood Park encounter.
"We ticked that off but at the same time I felt sorry for Tamatea because they were well below strength because of injuries," Hastings co-coach Karl Jones said. Hooker Aaron McGrail, loosehead prop Laurent Simutoga and blindside flanker Angus McGuire were all busy in the host pack. Hastings first five-eighth Ioane Ioane did well to convert 11 of the hosts 13 tries in the windy conditions.
Tamatea coach Tane Cooper said his players competed well during the first quarter but failed to capitalise on the opportunities.
Hooker Ray Kenny and prop Alex Kireka-Starnes had high workrates in the visiting pack and second five-eighth Henare Harris was the pick of the Tamatea backs.
-NOBM 22 Tech 18
Failing to use the wind enough in the first half let Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical down in this home loss, according to manager Cyril Whitburn.
Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist manager Mike Smith said his camp were heaping kudos on their frontrowers, props Jarvy Aoake and Chris Benson and hooker Eugene Gerrard. Halfback Boris Bouhraoua and winger Dan Walker were enterprising in the winning backline.
Prop Mark Braidwood and No 8 Levi Guildford again provided plenty of grunt for the Texans pack and winger Nathan Ramsay was lively in the host backline.
