He missed two games with a shoulder injury earlier this season and then took a rest to allow Hurricane Mark Abbott to play seven weeks ago. Delighted NOBM coach Craig Gowler said Skeet has been firing on all cylinders since then.
"I thought our defence was outstanding today and our only work on would be reducing the number of penalties we conceded at the breakdown. I also must commend Jason [Shoemark, Taradale head coach] for the improvement his team has made from the first round when we beat them 32-3," Gowler added.
His back three of fullback David Benson and wingers Mark Collier and Liam Edwards made the most of their opportunities with Collier scoring twice.
Fullback Dan McIntyre, who has scored 19 tries this season, one less than MAC's Tom Iosefo, deserved his brace for Taradale.
Captain and flanker Andrew Gardner was again a workaholic for the hosts. Taradale manager Paul Atkins said his troops could take a lot of positives into the semifinals.
Havelock 42 Clive 19
Progressive Meats Havelock North gave fullback Adam Bradey a memorable 150th outing with a six tries to three victory at Farndon Park.
"It was awesome for Adam and we got the five points we wanted to book a semifinal. What happened before now means little. We start all on the same level and, while NOBM will have the home ground advantage, it's the same for both teams ... lose and you're gone," Havelock manager Layton Onekawa said.
Hurricanes flanker Tony Lamborn was again prominent for the visitors. Locks Bronson Primmer and Zane Maney and prop Emmanuel Maui also impressed in the winning pack.
Winger Ethan Prichard was thirsty for work and scored two tries for the villagers. Openside flanker Rocky Pohatu, New Zealand under-20 rep Jonah Lowe, who had shifts at centre and fullback, and second five-eighth Jesse Tuhua were the best of the K9 Petfoods Clive players.
Hastings 52 Tamatea 17
"So near and yet so far."
These were the words of Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports coach Aaron Bartlett as he lamented his team's failure to make the semifinals. They got the five points in this Bill Mathewson Park encounter which would have won them a semifinal berth had Clive upset the villagers.
NZ under-20 No8 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u and second five-eighth Neria Fomai were the key architects of the visitors victory. Flanker Warwick Slingsby, lock Ben Parsons and prop Jason Long also provided plenty of grunt to the winning pack.
Tamatea did well to trail 17-12 at halftime but injuries took their toll in the second spell. Second five-eighth Jordan Harmer, tighthead prop Te Maangi Hamlin and openside flanker Hamiora Rowlands were full of authority for the hosts.
MAC 56 Tech 34
MAC avoided the promotion-relegation game in emphatic fashion with this Flaxmere Park walloping.
"We showed what we could do with our full squad back on deck and if we have this sort of commitment next year it will be a good one," MAC manager Narley Tuliau said.
Busy No 8 Ramiha Smiler grabbed a hattrick for the hosts. Flanker Fale Matamata, hooker Tere Joel and prop Mason Kean were also inspirational in the winning pack. Centre Lewis Marshall and fullback Willie Schuster were classy out wide.
Numerous dropped balls proved costly for the injury-depleted Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical team. Winger Misi Lealaisalano, flanker Elijah Martin and prop Sam Mann shone with their never-say-die approach for the Texans.
Pirate 38 Central 17
Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports produced an admirable rehearsal for the semifinals with this Waipukurau win.
Lock Mike Albert impressed with his speed and mobility and set up two tries. Prop Pouri Rakete-Stones and No8 Aaron McPhee were other tireless workers in the visitors engine room. First five-eighth David Neilson and winger Matt Murtha were the pick of the Pirate backs.
Northfuels Central prop Andrew Martin deserved a better result in his 157th and final outing for the team. Openside flanker George McPherson was again a gutsy contributor for the hosts while second five-eighth Cole Eru and winger Kody Lancaster were constructive Central backs.
