"It was good to have a break and get refreshed. Zac is on the injured list at the moment and Sam plays well in any backline position we put him in," Wilson said.
As the score suggests it was an entertaining and intense tussle which saw NOBM recover from a 25-21 deficit with 15 minutes remaining to secure the win. Wilson agreed superior composure during the final 10 minutes proved the difference between the two teams.
"We brought a few experienced players on and they got us home."
Gowler had every right to praise the Texans display.
"It was an outstanding contest and Asa has done a fantastic job with Tech," Gowler said referring to new Tech coach Asa Ene who was one of his assistants last season.
"We showed a bit more when the pressure came on. Tech changed their game during those final minutes but we trusted our systems," Gowler added.
Ene had every right to be proud of his troops improvement from last weekend.
"Our forward pack fronted for 80 minutes. There were a lot of words after last week and a lot of hard work," Ene said.
Former utility back Jordan Faia, who is relishing his switch to a loose forward role, captain and hooker Tere Joel and second five-eighth Ted Walters all deserved their entries on Ene's MVP list.
Taradale 30 Pirate 8
Former Wellington Lions lock Lui Luamanu and prop Joe Apikotoa were an inspirational pair for Taradale Rugby and Sports in this Tamatea Park victory.
The pair were dominant at set piece and outstanding on their feet and Luamanu boasts tremendous pace for a bloke who is 1.95m tall and weighs in at 118kgs.
Former Samoan under-20s openside flanker Francis Ah Hum had a memorable debut for the Mighty Maroons.
He was joined on manager Paul Wise's MVP list by winger Niki Martin and former Pirate prop Kelsey Miller.
The Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports team had some gutsy defensive patches but were guilty of conceding soft turnovers on attack.
Fullback Ted Symes scored a well constructed team try and joined winger Al Momoisea as the pick of the hosts backs.
Captain and No 8 Hamish Willis, flanker Ormond Heather and prop Pouri Rakete-Stones had high workrates in the Pirate pack.
Tamatea 38 Central 27
Jarks Tamatea spoilt Central first five-eighth Braydon Hardwidge's 100th outing with this Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park victory.
Experienced No 8 Everard Reid was accurate in all aspects of play for Tamatea and along with openside flanker Teaomarama Tomoana led the host pack by example. Former New Zealand Secondary Schools first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie was a classy pivot for Tamatea.
"It was nice to have a win but we've still got a bit of work to do," Tamatea's Pou Tikanga Don Hutana said.
Magpies lock Tom Parsons grabbed a hat-trick for Northfuels Central. Nineteen-year-old prop Cam Pratt displayed maturity beyond his years.
Magpies second five-eighth Pasqualle Dunn was the best of the Central backs.
"We played some good rugby and we will get there. We scored some good tries during the final 30 minutes," Central manager Ian Large said.
Hastings 66 Clive 21
Magpies winger Mason Emerson scored a hat-trick for the second consecutive week for Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports in this win at Elwood Park.
First five-eighth Danny Toala also grabbed a hat-trick for the hosts and both were scored during the first half. Co-captain and No 8 Ben Hamelink and blindside flanker Jardine Chung Ching, who is normally an inside back, were also valuable contributors to the victory.
Hastings led 42-0 at halftime and manager James Rosenberg said the hosts lost some shape during the second half when substitutions were made and some players played out of position.
"But in saying that Clive deserved their three tries."
K9 Petfoods Clive head coach Vaine Maui was happy with the improvement his lads displayed in the first half. Magpies lock Josh Eden-Whaitiri operated well at flanker.
New loosie Mackay Sione made the most of his extended game time following an early shoulder injury to Magpies loosie Lucas Goodin. Winger Eti Collins was the pick of the Clive backs.
Havelock North 35 MAC 22
Both teams produced an entertaining spectacle before Progressive Meats Havelock North claimed another five competition points at Flaxmere Park.
Powerful No 8 Sam Ulufonua and promising blindside flanker Jacob Stephenson were workaholics in the villagers pack.
Former Highlanders outside back Ryan Tongia impressed at fullback and former All Black Sevens player Trinity Spooner-Neera functioned well at first five-eighth for the visitors.
Tonga fullback Johnny Ika, Samoa loosie Fa'alemiga Selesele and tighthead prop Chad Huirama were all prominent for MAC.
