Rugby: NOBM'S Edwards equals Cunningham's record

Hastings Rugby and Sports fullback Sakopo Ofa is tackled by Napier Technical's pivot Layton Shaw (left) and Jack Smidt (right). Photo/Paul Taylor

Napier Old Boys Marist fullback Liam Edwards tonight equalled a Hawke's Bay premier club rugby record set by Jarrod Cunningham in 1995.

With his three conversions for WIT Napier Old Boys Marist in a 57-8 Tui Nash Cup fourth round victory over Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Park Island Edwards took his season tally to 101 points. Former Maori All Black Cunningham, who still holds the pointsscoring record for the Magpies with 998 in first class fixtures from 1990-'98, was the last player to score 100 points during the first four rounds of club play.

"I'm pretty happy with that ... it's outstanding," Edwards said afterwards.

"Some of our older club members have told me how good that Havelock North side of the mid 1990s was with the likes of Cunningham, the Paewai brothers and Tony Maidens in the backline. Our team has recorded similar success in recent seasons and I'm lucky to be part of a good team with a forward pack which is going forward and some skillful backs."

Despite his hot form Edwards has yet to be called into the Magpies wider training squad this season.

"I just need to keep playing well particularly in the big games like our one this weekend," Edwards said referring to the top of the table clash with Taradale at Tareha Recreation Reserve.

NOBM captain and No 8 Matt Gardner was outstanding in his 50th appearance for the Green Machine. Halfback Zac Donaldson, centre Saia Paese, who grabbed a hattrick, and hooker Jack Nelson-Murray, were others to shine in the polished team effort.

Lock Patrick Nicol was gutsy on debut for Pirate. Flankers Ormond Heather and Ryan Gardiner also had high workrates in the visiting pack.

"NOBM had too much speed out wide for us. They cut loose," Pirate manager Charles Reid said.
Central 30 MAC 27
A late penalty from first five-eighth Kody Drury-Hawkins saw Northfuels Central upset MAC in this nailbiter at Waipukurau's Central Park.

Central manager Ian Large didn't have to say anything to sum up the match ... his jubilant changing room said it all for him. Drury-Hawkins was the hosts player-of-the-match. Centre Travis Janssen again impressed for Central and former Wellington Lions prop Joel Hintz and No 8 Tomo Fogarty were inspirational in the winning pack.

MAC head coach Anthony Morley said his players struggled with refereeing interpretation.
"But in saying that we didn't conceded any yellow or red cards this week which was good. We were a little more patient and built phases better."

"We had to dig deep because six regulars were unavailable and we had to blood three players from our reserve grade side," Morley added.

Centre Penetana Smith scored a hattrick for the visitors. Veteran halfback Colin Hokianga also impressed in the MAC backline while veteran lock Everard Reid toiled tirelessly.

Hastings 36 Tech 10
Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports hooker Jacob Devery again enhanced his chances of Magpies Mitre 10 Cup squad selection with a player-of-the-match display in this Elwood Park victory.

Devery scored two tries, always busted the advantage line on the carry and had a huge defensive workrate. Flanker Fale Matamata and lock Jessie Lgsa-Sipaia were also prominent in the winning pack. First five-eighth Tom Agnew was the pick of the Hastings backs.

Winless Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical were again more competitive than the score suggests. Locks Elijah Martin and James Hughes-Lock and prop Perrin Manuel were workaholics in the engine room.

Midfield back Ted Walters made the most of his opportunities.

Taradale 38 Tamatea 19
Tamatea coach Levi Armstrong was impressed with the competitive patches his troops produced in this Tareha Recreational Reserve loss.

"Our discipline was good too as we didn't receive any cards. We had five players unavailable with injuries so the boys did well in a midweek fixture," he added.
Captain and flanker Jimi Harris led the visitors by example. Lock Pat Smith and centre Dave Neho also made Armstrong's MVP list.

Taradale manager Tim Combs was thrilled to lighten the load of key players in the countdown to Saturday's match and several of the hosts second stringers got plenty of minutes. Hooker Jacob Baker was the player-of-the-match.

Flanker Toby Single had a high workrate and first five-eighth Brad Truesdale controlled play well.
Maddison Trophy holders Tremains Andrew Clark Clive defaulted to Progressive Meats Havelock North. Clive head coach Vaine Maui said his team lacked frontrowers.

"Three of our frontrowers were on the injury list before we played Tamatea on Saturday. Another two collected injuries at the weekend. Hopefully we will be right for Saturday," Maui said referring to their fifth round clash against the Texans.

Scorers in tonight's fourth round of HB's Tui Nash Cup premier club competition:
Hastings Rugby and Sports 36 (J Saifiti 2, J Devery 2, G Kautai, F Matamata tries; T Agnew 3 cons), Napier Technical 10 (J Saufoi try; L Shaw pen, con). HT: 17-10.
Taradale 38 (N Biss 2, I Rore, C Niedmann, B Truesdale, I Mapu tries; Truesdale 3, J Malielegaoi cons), Tamatea 19 (J Harris, M Kean, P Smith tries; L McClutchie 2 cons). HT: 24-7.
NOBM 57 (S Paese 3, M Lauano 2, J Winson, P Fatialofa, T Symon-Burke, R Hayes tries; J Lauano 3, L Edwards 3 cons), Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 8 (O Heather try; Z Clarke pen). HT: 26-3.
Central 30 (T Fogarty, M Smith, T Janssen, B Parsons tries; K Drury-Hawkins 2 pens, 2 cons), MAC 27 (P Smith 3, R Paewai, K Kereru-Symes tries; Smith con). HT: 17-12.
Havelock North beat Clive by default.