Fellow prop Jason Long and flanker Fale Matamata were also prominent in the visiting pack. The smaller Progressive Meats Havelock North pack competed well against their bigger opponents.
Flanker Jacob Stephenson, another HBHS 1st XV product, had a huge workrate for the hosts who must have been gutted about blowing an early 14-0 lead. Backs coach Richard Jarman must be kicking himself for subbing influential captain and halfback Isaac Paewai early in the second spell.
Powerful winger William McGoon made the most of his opportunities and deserved his two tries. While first five-eighth J'andre Liebenberg will be disappointed with his failed 85th-minute penalty attempt, which would have secured a win, he was impressive throughout the match, particularly with his defensive workrate.
MAC 49 Taradale 28
MAC winger Filimoni Asolua got a winning 50th appearance with this upset at the Tareha Recreational Reserve.
His co-coach Anthony Morley praised referee Tipene Cottrell's contribution to the open, entertaining spectacle. Samoa and Magpies loosie Fa'alemiga Selesele's leadership was outstanding, particularly when his side were playing with 12 players after two players were sinbinned when another was already in the bin.
In-form centre Samu Iosua grabbed a hattrick and one of his tries were scored when MAC were playing with 12. Fullback John Ika, who scored two tries, and promising hooker Frank Tupuola were others to make Morley's MVP list.
Taradale Rugby and Sports manager Paul Wise said his troops played without seven regular starters and had an off-day at the office. While they still wanted to win they struggled with the mental aspect because no competition points were up for grabs in the crossover match.
Prop Joe Apikotoa was the best of the Taradale forwards and the first-five-eighth-second five-eighth combination of Brad Truesdale and Nathan Ramsay functioned well.
NOBM 74 Central 5
WIT Napier Old Boys Marist fullback Michael Buckley scored four tries in this Central Park walloping.
His head coach Craig Gowler was disappointed with the Green Machine's first-half effort when they established a 22-5 lead. The introduction of experienced loosie Matt Gardner and veteran utility back Migao Lauano provided some quality leadership in the second spell.
Busy No 8 Hannon Brighouse was the player of the match. Fellow loosie Ricky Hayes was also busy and Sam Weber was again dynamic in the halfback and wing positions.
Northfuels Central manager Ian Large said his troops were frustrated with the officials and will be taking the matter further.
"There was no consistency. We're not sore losers and we will get better," he added.
Fullback Braydon Hardwidge and first five-eighth Jack White were the best of the Central backs and experienced No 8 Warwick Slingsby again had a never-say-die approach.
Tamatea 32 Clive 22
Jarks Tamatea pou tikanga Don Hutana admitted his lads have some work to do on their second-half efforts after this Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park victory.
"This is the second week in a row we've let our opposition win the second half," Hutana said, referring to his team's 27-5 lead at halftime.
Hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes was full of authority in the winning pack. First five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie and second five-eighth David Neho combined well in the Tamatea backline.
K9 Petfoods Clive coach Vaine Maui was thrilled with his troops' second-half effort. Flankers Jesse Tuhua and Josh Eden-Whaitiri were workaholics and lock Rapa Nuku also made Maui's MVP list.
Tech 36 Pirate 5
Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports were always going to struggle with a squad of 19 for this Tamatea Park encounter.
Things became a lot worse when flanker Ormond Heather was ordered off for a high tackle in the first quarter. However the hosts deserve praise for their gutsy second-half effort after trailing 26-0 at the interval.
Experienced prop Mark Braidwood again provided plenty of grunt to the Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical engine room. Second five-eighth Ted Walters and fullback JJ Taulagi were enterprising in the Texans backline.
Captain and No 8 Hamish Willis and lock Damian Scott led the Pirate pack by example. Centre Al Momoisea was full of endeavour in the hosts' backline and deserved their only try.
