Along with player-of-the-match Nikora, openside flanker Hamiora Rowlands, No8 Ivan Bellamy, and tighthead prop Te Maangi Hamlin, were other key architects of the win for a team which had two players yellow carded and was on the receiving end of a 16-9 penalty count. Northfuels Central manager Ian Large heaped kudos on Nikora and co.
"Tamatea deserved their win."
Centre Kody Lancaster and openside flanker George McPherson were the best of the Central lads.
Havelock 27 Hastings 10
Progressive Meats Havelock North kept their semifinal hopes alive with a convincing do-or-die club day victory at Anderson Park.
Members of the villagers 1991, '95 and '96 Maddison Trophy-winning teams, who had a reunion to coincide with the fixture, were impressed with the defensive effort from the hosts. Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports produced an error-ridden display and were guilty of taking far too many wrong options.
"We have to get maximum points against Tamatea next week and hope either Havelock or Pirates lose," Hastings coach Aaron Bartlett said.
Lock Bronson Primmer was a workaholic in the Havelock North engine room and with Hurricanes loosie Tony Lamborn scavenged some crucial turnovers. Fullback Shannan Chase was always a threat on attack and impressed with his tactical kicking while captain and halfback Isaac Paewai's rugby smarts when dealing with the ref and option taking was top shelf.
Prop Paulo Nu'u, who was a beast at scrum time and powerful on the carry, and centre Mason Emerson were the pick of the Hastings players.
Taradale 39 Tech 8
Carters Frame and Truss Taradale secured a home semifinal with this Whitmore Park win.
Flanker Kaleb Whakataka was the player-of-the-match and lock Angelo Mufana was also prominent in the Mighty Maroons pack which benefited from the return from lengthy injury spells of loosies Kaleb Sweet and Sisa Vosaki. Fullback Dan McIntyre was again enterprising in the winning backline.
Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical were competitive in the first half and trailed 8-3 at the interval. Errors and the conceding of a couple of intercepts proved costly in the second spell.
Tighthead prop Tolu Fahamokioa and flanker Elijah Martin led the Tech pack by example. Halfback Cory Simkin, winger Misi Lealaisalano and centre Nathan Ramsay were enterprising when the Tech backs had some memorable patches.
Pirate 26 MAC 24
Should Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports retain the Maddison Trophy next month expect MAC pivot Harris Solomon to be on the invite list for the celebration party.
Solomon missed a last-minute penalty in this Tamatea Park encounter which would have given his team a win and knocked the defending champions out of the top four. Pirate manager Charles Reid said his troops considered giving Solomon their player-of-the-match award and were grateful their first five-eighth David Neilson succeeded with a couple of late penalties.
Busy No 8 Aaron McPhee and Mike Albert, who had stints at lock and flanker, were tireless workers in the winning pack. Centre Hayden Hann was classy in the Pirate backline.
Lock Teina Huia, No 8 Ramiha Smiler, flanker Fale Matamata, prop Mason Kean and hooker Tere Joel all featured on manager Narley Tuliau's MVP list.
NOBM 59 Clive 12
Winger Migao Lauano grabbed a hat-trick as HBI Insurances Napier Old Boys Marist retained the Challenge Shield and maintained their unbeaten run with this Park Island victory.
Loosehead prop Mike King and No 8 Hannon Brighouse were full of authority in the host pack while centre Mark Collier was the pick of the NOBM backs. Hooker Adam Jones impressed with his never-say-die approach in the K9 Petfoods Clive engine room.
Halfback Heperi Harrison and Duff Penitito, who had stints at second five-eighth and on the wing had memorable moments in the Clive backline.
