Rugby: Napier East pip Central

CRUNCH: Napier East's Sam Wilkins has his progress halted by a Central defender during yesterday's nailbiter at Taradale. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

Wakely Shield
Rugby
By Shane Hurndell
Napier East coach Dean Chamberlain was saluting his team's ability to claw their way back and then hang on to a lead after a tense start to the Wakely Shield rugby tournament in Taradale yesterday.

Napier East pipped Central 17-15 after trailing 7-5 at halftime. A brother of the two-time winning Napier Ross Shield head coach Clint Chamberlain, Chamberlain, is attempting to match his brother's feat at the 13th edition of the Wakely Shield tournament which caters for players under 50kg.

Robust No 8 Blake Tims and mobile lock Toby Findlay were prominent in the Napier pack. Fullback Jamie Chamberlain was enterprising in the winning backline and second five-eighth Jordan Martin impressed with his solid defence.

"The country boys ran out of fizz which is unusual at this level," Central coach Paul Yarrell said.

Lock Kaysh Butcher had some powerful carries for Central. Fellow lock Roan Berge also impressed in the Central pack.

Halfback Wallace Greville and centre Aries Crawford were dangerous attackers in the Central backline.

The other two games were one-sided affairs with Hastings East beating the Saracens 43-5 and Hastings West beating Wairoa 39-0. Hastings East manager Kieran Horsefield said his troops got into their stride well with captain and No 8 Taine Murray leading by example.

His first five-eighth, gifted instinct player Ocean Katene, directed play well and centre William Malatai proved he has a promising future in the code. Busy No 8 Joel Palmer and second five-eighth She Watts were the pick of the Saracens players.

Defending champions Napier West had the bye today and will take on Hastings West in today's 1.45pm clash. In the earlier games Hastings East and Napier East will meet at 11.15am and the Saracens will take on Central at 12.30pm.

During the previous years the tournament used a round robin format. However, when Feilding withdrew from this week's event organisers opted for a pool play format.

On Thursday the top two four teams will play in the Wakely Shield semifinals and the bottom three in Leahy Plate semifinals. Finals and ranking games will be played on Friday.