Rugby: Last-gasp kick seals win

Havelock North pivot Dan Snee braces for a tackle from Napier Pirate pair of Hayden Hann (left) and Pouvi Fatialofa as his second five-eighth, Jesse Paewai, offers support. Photo / Warren Buckland

Magpies utility back Lewis Marshall missed his MAC premier rugby team's training on Thursday night with a bout of gout in his foot.

Manager Narley Tuliau said Marshall produced the best form of apology for his absence when he kicked a last-minute 49m penalty to give MAC an upset 20-17 win against K9 Petfoods Clive in their Tui Nash Cup fourth round clash at Farndon Park on Saturday.

"Our regular goalkicker Willie Schuster had missed a couple of kicks earlier in the game so when we were awarded that final penalty Lewis stepped up and said he would take the pressure off the young fellah and take the kick. We were pretty happy when the flags went up," Tuliau explained.

That successful penalty ended Clive's unbeaten run and saw MAC replace them in second place on the points table. Hooker Teremoana Joel, openside flanker Fale Matamata, who is considering a switch to hooker to enhance his chances of representative selection, and captain and lock Everard Reid were all inspirational in the winning pack.

Magpies hooker and Clive captain Jorian Tangaere and experienced prop Nathan Bruce led the host engine room by example. Winger Charlton Karauria, who was promoted from the colts, had a memorable debut in the Clive backline.

Havelock 28 Pirate 20

Progressive Meats Havelock North gave hooker Matt Phillips a memorable 50th outing and won the Walker Cup with this upset at Anderson Park.

Hurricanes hooker Ricky Riccitelli, who switched to prop, when Phillips took the field as a sub, joined former Magpies halfback Issac Paewai, Magpies fullback Shannon Chase and experienced first five-eighth Dan Snee as the key architects of the villagers' victory. Havelock manager for the day, Conrad Waitoa, said his troops didn't want to record a second loss at home in the wake of their first home defeat of the season a fortnight ago against MAC.

"I can't recall us ever losing two games in a row. It was good to beat Pirates with such a young team too ... 10 of our players will receive ties tonight in recognition of their first premier match in recent weeks."

The Pirate side appeared flat and didn't play with the same urgency displayed during last year's 19-16 Maddison Trophy final win against the villagers. Lock Marcus Donovan was busy at the coalface.

First five-eighth David Neilson, winger Matt Garland and second five-eighth Hayden Hann were the best of the visitors' backs.

Taradale 61 Tamatea 7

Carters Frame and Truss Taradale lock Angelo Mufana had a winning 50th in this convincing home victory.

Outside back Dan McIntyre scored three tries for the defending champions. Regular fullback Uta Tupuola impressed with his general play at first five-eighth and converted eight of Taradale's nine tries.

Mufana and No8 Jacob Baker were the pick of the Taradale forwards. Tamatea coach Adam McDonald said it was a tough day at the office for his players who now have an understanding of the standard required for the remainder of the season.

Hooker John Mullany, prop Alex Kireka-Starnes and halfback Wayne Nikora all made McDonald's MVP list.

NOBM 47 Tech 10

Unbeaten HBI Insurance Brokers Napier Old Boys Marist extended their competition lead and retained the Hawke's Bay Challenge Shield with this Park Island walloping.

Captain Sean Skeet and fellow lock Hannon Brighouse, who NOBM head coach Craig Gowler described as "the future of Hawke's Bay rugby", joined Magpies prop Jarvy Aoake as the best of the host pack. Centre David Benson was again a workaholic in the backline.

Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical did well to trail 12-5 at halftime but manager Cyril Whitburn said no matter what they did to try and unsettle NOBM's structures and patterns in the second half, they were unsuccessful. Busy No8 Elijah Martin and his brother and flanker Izzy Martin shone with their never-say-die approach in the Tech pack and fullback Jordan Faia was enterprising in the visiting backline.

Hastings 36 Central 17

Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports head coach Aaron Bartlett praised his team's impressive first 50 minutes which set the platform for this Elwood Park win.

Hurricanes lock Geoff Cridge, who played No8, the locking duo of Jono Makris and Ben Parsons and hooker Ben Chadwick provided plenty of grunt in the Hastings pack. Brothers Neria and Ausage Fomai operated well in the winning backline.

Northfuels Central did well to win the second half 17-12 but Hastings had done the damage in the first spell when establishing a 24-0 halftime lead. Halfback Tim Sciascia, winger Tomo Fogarty and fullback Travis Jensen were all valuable contributors to Central's cause.