First five-eighth Greggor McNeish, who succeeded with eight of his nine attempts at goal in the tricky wind to finish with 20 points, also shone with his general play. Second five-eighth Uta Tupuola shone in all aspects.
New Progressive Meats Havelock North forwards coach, injured Highlanders prop Brendon Edmonds, will have plenty to keep busy with as he recovers from knee surgery. His scrum was too high on many occasions and the villagers forwards were splintered too easily.
Veteran No 8 Luke Ottley toiled well until he and Whakataka were red carded after a late all-in brawl. Lock Bronson Primmer and winger Brendan Solomon also deserved their entries on Havelock manager Layton Onekawa's MVP list.
NOBM 51 MAC 12
"It's like a funeral in our changing room today," MAC manager Narley Tuliau said after this Park Island defeat.
"Napier Old Boys Marist showed us why they deserved to have the Nash Cup ahead of us and also why they still have the Hawke's Bay Challenge Shield," Tuliau added.
HBI Insurances head coach Craig Gowler was proud of the manner his troops continued on from last week's Nash Cup success particularly after former Magpies second five-eighth Sam Giddens was a late withdrawal after collecting an ankle injury in the warm up to the feature club day match. Gowler pointed out his forwards got lower and were faster to the breakdown and first five-eighth Johnny Lauano oozed class.
Powerful No 8 Joseph Penitito and blindside flanker Willy Benson were also prominent for the hosts. Centre Lewis Marshall, fullback Tom Iosefo, who took his try tally for the season to 15, and No 8 Ramiha Smiler were MAC's best.
Pirate 34 Tamatea 27
Tamatea coach Adam McDonald lamented his team's missed opportunities after this Bill Mathewson Park loss to the defending champions.
"We didn't take our chances when they were handed to us on a plate in the first half. We could have been 26-12 up at halftime. While we were good in patches it was frustrating not to get the win," McDonald said.
The fact Tamatea collected two bonus points, the same amount collected in all nine of their Nash Cup games, was the ideal form of consolation. Lock Tama Hutana produced a player-of-the-match performance for Tamatea. Fullback Jimmy Harris and winger Ash Robinson were enterprising in the losing backline.
Winger Matt Garland was creative in a Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports backline which was well directed by pivot Ted Symes. Openside flanker Pouvi Fatialofa and prop Conrad Reiter were inspirational in the Pirate pack.
Tech 38 Central 27
Northfuels Central manager Ian Large was well placed to sympathise with McDonald.
"We missed out on 13 points from missed kicks at goal and soft turnovers cost us. Tech capitalised on our mistakes," Large said after this Whitmore Park defeat.
Winger Misi Lealaisalona impressed with his skills under the high ball and at counterattack time for Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical. Blindside flanker Izzy Martin, centre Ted Walters and substitute halfback Cory Simkin were other key architects of the hosts' victory.
Lock Hugh Graham and openside flanker George McPherson were tireless workers at the coalface for Central. First five-eighth Brayden Hardwidge was the pick of the Central backs.
Clive 35 Hastings 33
K9 Petfoods Clive utility back Tianua Poto secured this Elwood Park win with a late long-range conversion across a challenging breeze.
It came after Magpies hooker and player-of-the-match Jorian Tangaere had completed his hat-trick for the visitors. Aussie No 8 Lucas Goodin and lock Josh Eden-Whaitiri were others who were full of authority in the Clive engine room.
This wasn't the result Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports flanker Jack Crasborn and prop Dennis Tapusoa wanted in their 50th appearances for the hosts. Magpies prop Jason Long joined Crasborn as the best of the Hastings players.
