Havelock manager Conrad Waitoa said, while his players were disappointed they couldn't capture the shield, they were still proud of their comeback and he pointed out the two points for the draw could prove valuable when the semifinalists are decided.
Openside flanker Zane Rangi and hooker Matt Phillips were industrious in the visiting pack and halfback Isaac Paewai and winger Mikey Vuicakau were the pick of the villagers backs.
-Clive 16 Tech 16
K9 Petfoods Clive coach Andy Green was praising his three Magpies wider training group members after this Farndon Park draw.
"All three [centre Jonah Lowe, first five-eighth Tianua Poto and captain and hooker Jorian Tangaere] wanted to play 80 minutes, despite having played on Wednesday night and they brought that rep level intensity down to this club game," Green said.
Poto secured the draw with a last-second 45m penalty. New flanker Lucas Goodin, who recently arrived from the Gold Coast, fellow loosie Jesse Tuhua and veteran lock Sven Hogenesch were prominent in a cohesive Clive pack.
Winger Tewhenua Dalton joined Lowe and Poto as the best of the Clive backs.
Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical manager Cyril Whitburn said his troops were too complacent and the draw was a good shock for the squad.
Hooker Matt Myers, winger Jordan Faia and second five-eighth Ted Walters were the visitors' best.
-NOBM 31 Central 5
Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist first five-eighth Tyrone Elkington-McDonald was the key architect of this Central Park victory, his team's first in the comp.
His superb directional play in the difficult conditions dominated conversation. Lock Matt Thompson's powerful carries and accuracy at contact time were another highlight, while fullback Liam Edwards handled the slippery ball well, whether it came in aerial form or skidding along the ground.
After heaping kudos on Elkington-McDonald Central coach Exham Wichman said fullback Sam Miratana was the sharpest of his backs and all of his forwards operated well together in patches.
-MAC 30 Tamatea 20
MAC fought back well with 14 players to secure this Flaxmere Park club day win.
The hosts trailed 20-10 at halftime and scored 20 unanswered points in the second half, despite playing with 14 after prop Clinton Vaiusu had been sent off in the 20th minute. Captain and first five-eighth Tom Iosefo was again classy in a backline in which promising winger Elijah Tuavera also shone.
Locks Everard Reid and Teina Huia, the latter was making his debut, and loosehead prop were busy in the MAC pack. Tamatea coach Tane Cooper was proud of his team's competitive effort and said the game was lost during the final 15 minutes, when they drifted from the game plan and missed a couple of penalty kicks.
Blindside flanker Buffy Wainohu, prop Alex Kireka-Starnes and first five-eighth Ash Robinson all made Cooper's MVP list.
-Taradale 24 Hastings 15
Carters Frame and Truss Taradale ended Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports unbeaten run with this club day victory.
Openside flanker Tom Stanley dominated the tussle for the loose ball and played the entire match for the hosts, despite having played on Wednesday night. First five-eighth Manihera Eden and fullback Uta Tupuola were adventurous on attack.
Hastings co-coach Karl Jones said their hosts made the most of the better weather conditions before they changed for the worse. Jason Long, who had stints at hooker and prop and No8, and hooker Tivaini Fomai battled effectively in the visiting pack which lost the services of prop Paulo Nu'u at halftime when his wife Casey went into labour. The couple welcomed a son into the world in the early hours of yesterday morning.
