Rugby: Marist depth on display

Taradale's Kaleb Whakataka halts the progress of Clive's Tiaan Falcon during Saturday's match at Taradale. Photo / Duncan Brown

Back in the good old days it was almost a criminal offence for a premier club rugby player to get married during the winter.

However HBI Insurance Brokers Napier Old Boys Marist head coach Craig Gowler is happy to allow his players to tie the knot during the season. Gowler, seven of his players and two of his managers attended the wedding of fullback Liam Edwards on Saturday. But this didn't stop NOBM from retaining the lead in the Tui Nash Cup competition with a third round 18-15 victory over Maddison Trophy holders Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Tamatea Park.

After their win the NOBM contingent, which was also without lock Tom Bywater who was on his honeymoon after his wedding the previous weekend, returned to their Park Island headquarters with the Hawke's Bay Challenge Shield and the Leadbetter-Macdonald Cup. It was also a fitting farewell to former France Sevens rep and current Algeria captain Boris Bouhraoua who will return to France next week.

"This is an indication of the depth our club boasts," an elated NOBM director of rugby Matt Wyatt said afterwards.

He pointed out two locks, 19-year-old Regan Leahy and 18-year-old Ricky Hayes, were making their debut for the side. While every NOBM player produced the level of commitment required No8 Matt Gardiner and former Magpies second five-eighth Sam Giddens, who kicked six penalties, were the heroes.

"We were penalised out of the game," Pirate manager Charles Reid said before seeking some clarification from experienced referee Marty Hantz.

Lock Marcus Donovan, promising prop Pouri Rakete-Stones and second five-eighth Hayden Hann were the pick of the host players.

Clive 17 Taradale 5

Former Maori All Black, Hurricanes and Magpies loosie Karl Lowe was one of the key architects of K9 Petfoods Clive's first victory against Taradale since 2008.

Lowe regularly busted the advantage line in the Carters Arms Park encounter, was ferocious on defence and had two breakdown steals before the first quarter ticked over. Aussie No8 Lucas Goodin, prop Kereama Peni and flanker James Tango were others to shine in a cohesive Clive pack.

First five-eighth Tiaan Falcon and second five-eighth Tianua Poto again shone with their direction of the winning backline.

Fullback Peter Bassett produced some gutsy defensive work.

Taradale assistant coach Dan Waenga said while it was disappointing for his troops to lose at home his youthful squad was still learning.

"At the same time we're continuing to improve and it's important we keep strong and keep working."

Hooker Ellery Tareha, flanker Kaleb Whakataka and lock Angelo Mufana were tireless in the losing pack. Handling errors let the Taradale backs down and they were also guilty of wrong options.

Havelock 23 Central 21

"We let Havelock out of jail as we had the match until the final 10 minutes."

These were the words of Northfuels Central coach and former Progressive Meats Havelock North player Exham Wichman after this loss at Waipukurau's Central Park.

"While we are improving and there were heaps of positives this still hurts," he added before singling out flanker George McPherson, halfback Tim Sciascia and hooker Hamish Carroll as the best of the hosts.

Havelock manager Layton Onekawa said the youthful visitors took some silly options and lacked the necessary patience until the final 10 minutes. Hurricanes hooker Ricky Riccitelli was inspirational in the winning pack with powerful carries and pick and goes and superb accuracy at lineout time.

Lock Bronson Primmer and nuggety halfback Taylor Greville also made Onekawa's MVP list.

Tech 25 Tamatea 16

Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical manager Cyril Whitburn was praising his team's defensive work after this Bill Mathewson Park victory.

"We had 14 players after our No8 Levi Guildford was red carded in the 30th minute. There was some good defensive play," Whitburn said.

Lock Elijah Martin, hooker Lani Latu and Magpies prop Tolu Fahamokioa provided plenty of grunt in the winning engine room. Busy No8 Henare Harris, centre Jimmy Harris and halfback Taniera Miratana impressed for Tamatea.

Hastings 30 MAC 30

Hurricanes lock Geoff Cridge was again a kingpin for Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports in this Flaxmere Park draw.

Captain and flanker Ben Hamelink, first five-eighth Jayden Rihia and fullback Thomas Agnew were others to shine for the visitors.

Powerful No8 Ramiha Smiler, flanker Paula Latu and centre Vai Kereti were all valuable contributors to MAC's cause.