Rugby: MAC open up new era in dramatic fashion

MAC fullback Tianua Poto avoids a charge-down from NOBM halfback Corey Simpkins with a clearance during Saturday's game at Flaxmere Park. NOBM flanker Sean Watts awaits the outcome. Photo/Warren Buckland

MAC captain Everard Reid gave the ground a strong stomp with his boot at Flaxmere Park on Saturday.

"This is something pretty special. To finally have our own home ground ... it was definitely a factor in today's win," Reid explained after his troops had ended Hawke's Bay Insurances Ltd Napier Old Boys Marist's unbeaten run in the Tui Nash Cup premier club rugby competition with a 26-18 fourth round victory.

"To celebrate our first outing on the park with a win against a good side like that makes the move here one to remember. We were based at Ron Giorgi Park for a while but that was never our own home like this park.

"We had good structures today and most importantly we had trust and faith. We always knew we had a mate next to us," Reid said.

A grandson of an MAC legend and former All Black, the late Tori Reid, Reid, produced a player-of-the-match performance and often got the better of his NOBM opponent and Hurricanes squad member Mark Abbott. However, Reid was full of praise for Abbott.

"Mark is in another class, he is a special talent. I'm an old fella compared with him but we were lucky there were times when Abbott's teammates couldn't keep up with him."

Close behind Reid in the battle for player-of-the-game honours were the hosts midfield combination of second five-eighth Jackson Waerea and centre Caelym Box. They shut their more experienced opponents, Asa Ene and Migao Lauano, out of the game.

The visitors were far too passive in the first half and trailed 20-6 at halftime. NOBM paid the price for not starting talented loosies Joseph Penitito and Pouvi Fatialofa, who would not have allowed Reid the freedom he enjoyed.

Ironically NOBM's best player was former MAC winger David Benson who scored both of the visitors' tries and impressed with his powerful runs and gutsy defensive work.

Pirate 29 Technical 17

Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports shoved Maddison Trophy holders Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical to ninth place on the points table with this Tamatea Park upset win.

"We made another step up with our work-ons ... it was a good team effort," Pirate head coach Andy Lord said. First-five David Neilson was the key architect in the hosts' victory. He scored a try and kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Blindside flanker Tom Nicol and No8 Lynard Hall were inspirational in the Pirate pack.

"We didn't turn up and Pirates played better," Tech manager Cyril Whitburn said before singling out captain and openside flanker Hugh Reed as his team's best.

Prop Nathan Pulega and No8 Palu Tonga also had memorable moments for the visitors.

Havelock North 30 Clive 7

Promising Progressive Meats Havelock North second-five Kalin Paewai again appeared a modern-day version of his father as he captured player-of-the-match honours in this Anderson Park victory.

A son of former New Zealand Maori and Hawke's Bay Magpies midfielder Murdoch Paewai, Paewai has a similar step to his dad and sets up his outsides in similar fashion. His cousin and first-five Ethan Bradey provided him with quality service.

Magpies loosie Tony Lamborn had a high workrate at No8 for the hosts and English prop Miles Anderson also made manager Richard Kinnear's MVP list.

"Miles felt right at home in the mud," Kinnear quipped.

Aussie first-five Kyle Beakey and centre Taniela Ofa impressed in the Clive backline. Veteran lock Sven Hogenesch and No8 Adam Jones were prominent in the riversiders' pack.

On Thursday night IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports beat Tamatea 33-10 and on Friday Carters Frame and Truss Taradale beat Northfuels Central 24-10 at Tikokino.

Taradale are the only unbeaten side in the competition and their home game against defending champions Havelock North on Saturday should be a cracker.

Other fifth-round games on Saturday will see fourth-placed Hastings Rugby and Sports host fifth-placed Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports, eighth-placed Central host sixth-placed MAC, second-placed NOBM host seventh-placed Clive and Tech host bottom-of-the-table Tamatea.