Rugby league: Bridge Pa captain Jeston Craig gone for season

Dannevirke Tigers scrumhalf Tama Petera eludes his Tamatea counterpart Mataeus Marsh during this burst on Saturday. Photo/Warren Buckland

A season-ending broken hand injury took the gloss off Bridge Pa captain Jeston Craig's blazer game in Hawke's Bay's premier club rugby league competition on Saturday.

"Jeston thought it was dislocated about 10 minutes into the game. He played the remainder of the match, received his blazer at the post-game presentations and then went to hospital where he learnt it was broken," Bridge Pa player-coach Ihaka Waerea said, as he reflected on his team's 62-4 win over Maraenui at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park in Hastings.

Bridge Pa players receive their blazers after 25 games.

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With defending champions Kahuranaki no longer in the competition because of a high injury tally Bridge Pa secured the favourite's tag for the title with Saturday's victory.

"The boys hit their straps by playing with a bit of purpose and width," Waerea said.

Former Kahuranaki utility back and former Hawks basketballer, Czebalos Smiler, produced a player-of-the-match display at fullback for Bridge Pa.

In his debut for the club former Omahu Huia player and former Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV rugby first five-eighth Shamara Brooks dicatated terms well from standoff.

Centre Jackson Waerea was another to shine in the winning backline. Back rower Leroy Taiapa and prop Teira Cowan led the hit up statistics among the Bridge Pa forwards.

Busy back rower Ormond Heather, who was also forced from the field with a broken hand, and hooker, former Magpies rugby centre Karl Broughton, were the pick of the Maraenui forwards.

Winger Tom Iosefo made the most of his limited opportunities in the Maraenui backline.

Back rower Nevada Hemopo, another former Kahuranaki player, scored Maraenui's only try.

In the other premier game Tamatea beat Dannevirke Tigers 54-42.

Prop Johnny Wang and back rower Te Rira Rowlands were valuable on the carry for Tamatea.

Hooker Rukutai Craig impressed with his defensive workrate.

Inside backs Mataeus Marsh, another former Hawks basketballer, and Ash Robinson marshalled the attack well.

Robinson, Marsh and Craig scored two tries each and Robinson kicked seven goals.

Rowlands, Terry Nikora jnr, Raumoa Timu and Witere Kupa scored a try each.

Tigers manager Aaron Karena said he was proud of the manner his troops fought back and got within two points at one stage.

"We were short of players and had no subs. We're probably going to meet Tamatea again in the semifinals so it's good they haven't seen us at our best."

Halfback Tama Petera was outstanding in his first match of the season after his fight in the previous weekend's Battle for Life charity boxing event in Hastings.

His brother, fullback Waka Petera, again impressed in the Tigers backline.

Back rower Rakei Ngaia, prop Parekaia Tapiata and hooker Adrian Whareatu were the best of the Tigers forwards.

Reserve grade action saw title favourites Bay Bulldogs hand defending champions Bridge Pa their second loss of the season with a 42-24 victory and Omahu Huia beat Flaxmere 52-20.

Women's grade fixtures saw unbeaten defending champions Bridge Pa wallop YMP 84-4 and Tamatea beat Hastings Rugby and Sports 48-14.

One more weekend of round-robin play is scheduled for all three grades before the September 29 semifinals and October 6 grand finals.