Apart from a stint in the sinbin Havelock flanker Tony Lamborn was a powerful figure. Lock Richard Titchborn was another to impress in the visiting pack.
Lock Sean Skeet was a tireless worker in the NOBM engine room. Promising No 8 Joseph Penitito and his former Hawke's Bay age-group teammate and flanker Sean Watts were again full of enthusiasm.
Taradale 29 Pirate 19
Chiefs utility back Andrew Horrell was an inspirational figure as Carters Frame and Truss Taradale retained the Hawke's Bay Challenge Shield with this club day victory.
It was Horrell's first outing for the unbeaten Mighty Maroons in three years and during his 60 minutes at fullback he displayed the difference between a fulltime professional and the amateurs. At the same time Taradale co-coach Blair Cross was full of praise for the competitive effort from the Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports side which led 6-3 at halftime.
Prop Ezrah Amituanai, who became the side's top tryscorer to date with his seventh and impressed with his improving fitness and mobility, was a powerful figure in the winning pack. Winger Uta Tupuola joined Horrell as the best of the Taradale backs.
"We went off the boil a bit in the second half and lost some of our structure but there was some awesome stuff in the first half," Pirate manager Charles Reid said.
Second five-eighth Jackson Neilson was again classy in the Pirate backline. Fullback Ted Symes had his best outing of the season for the visitors.
Props Kelsey Miller and Conrad Rieter were prominent when their pack enjoyed long periods of dominance.
Central 30 Tamatea 29
Northfuels Central first five-eighth Braydon Hardwidge was the toast of his side after this Bill Mathewson Park thriller.
Hardwidge kicked a penalty with 10 seconds remaining to secure victory. He had earlier kicked a penalty and two conversions and scored a try.
While Hardwidge kept the points ticking over and shone with his directional play locks Gareth Fergusson and Hugh Graham provided plenty of grunt in the Central engine room. Tamatea co-coach Aaron Painter was a man of mixed emotions at the final whistle.
"I'm disappointed with the loss but also really proud of how well things have come together within the squad."
In his second outing of the season for Tamatea openside flanker Henare Harris was the best player on the field. Lock Tama Hutana and first five-eighth Asonoa Brown were others to shine in a host side which had no passengers.
Tech 40 Clive 5
Defending champions Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical proved how keen they were to retain their title with this Whitmore Park walloping.
A former Under-20 World Cup winning Baby Black, captain and openside flanker Hugh Reed, led the Texans by example. Veteran lock Darren Deeley was full of authority and first five-eighth Tipene Cottrell was the pick of the host backs.
Captain and hooker Jorian Tangaere and blindside flanker Jesse Tuhua impressed in the losing pack and Aussie first five-eighth Kyle Beakey was the best of the Clive backs.
Hastings 46 MAC 12
IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports farewelled their Cook Islands reps Ioane and Mark Ioane in style with this convincing Elwood Park victory.
It was the brothers' final match before going into camp to prepare for Cook Islands World Cup qualifier against Fiji in Suva. Second five-eighth Ioane Ioane joined halfback Adam Ross and winger Star Timu as the key architects of some cohesive play from the Hastings backs.
Prop Dennis Tapusua, who scored two tries, produced his best display of the season in the winning pack. While MAC competed well in the first half they were denied possession in the second. Api Sione, prop Clinton Vaiusu and Teremoana Joel had memorable moments in the MAC pack.
