Relieving Pressure: Taradale halfback Thomas Eden clears during his team's 21-10 loss to Napier Technical today. Photo/Paul Taylor
Maddison Trophy
Premier rugby
Napier Technical spoilt Taradale's club day celebrations with a 21-10 win in a Hawke's Bay premier rugby Maddison Trophy first round encounter today.
After a scoreless and intense first half Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical scored 14 points while Taradale and Magpies second five-eighth Billy Ropiha was in the sinbin during the Tareha Reserve encounter. That deficit proved too much for the hosts to haul back.
With their victory Tech gained revenge for a 31-21 loss to Taradale in the Nash Cup round. Tech manager Cyril Whitburn agreed the visitors patience, superior scrum and confident back play were key factors in the win.
Openside flanker Vinny Guildford, hooker Conan Houkamau and No 8 Kaleb Sweet were inspirational in the Tech pack which was well lead by captain Mark Braidwood. Substitute first five-eighth Tamati Samuels was classy in his return from All Black Sevens duty in London.
Carters Frame and Truss Taradale co-coach Mutu Ngarimu paid the price for failing to convert pressure into points during key moments.
"While we didn't get the win and it was a learning curve for the boys we still put on spirited performance for Rex," Ngarimu said referring to life member Rex Maxwell who died earlier in the week and whose funeral will be held at the club on Monday.
Two of Maxwell's grandsons, substitute winger Hemi Waerea, who scored a try, and substitute frontrower Ellery Tareha, played for the hosts. Captain and lock Andrew Gardner and prop James Humphries were a powerful pair in the Taradale engine room.
Havelock North 46 Tamatea 24
Progressive Meats Havelock North also gained revenge for a Nash Cup round defeat with this Anderson Park victory.
First season blindside flanker Jonty Strong was again dynamic in all aspects of play for the villagers. Halfback Taylar Greville and lock Bronson Primmer were also prominent for Havelock.
Blindside flanker Eugene Sandiland and lock Ivan Bellamy were workaholics in the Tamatea pack. First five-eighth, New Zealand open men's touch representative Ash Robinson-Bartlett, was the best of the Tamatea backs.
"We trailed 8-7 at halftime and our first 30 minutes was the best we had played all season. We just lack the necessary patience," Tamatea coach Matt Marsh said.
NOBM 88 MAC 7
Blockbusting No 8 Joseph Penitito again enhanced his chances of a Magpies recall with five tries for defending champions Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist in this Park Island drubbing.
The match was originally scheduled to be played at Tamatea Park but was transferred to Tremain Field when a leg injury delayed the curtainraiser at Tamatea Park. Veteran prop Mike King, in his first starting XV appearance of the season, and lock Ricky Hayes joined Penitito as the pick of the Green Machine's forwards.
Second five-eighth Paul Bickle impressed in an NOBM backline which was directed well by halfback Ellery Wilson.
"NOBM were pretty to watch. They were awesome and at times unreal," MAC manager Narley Tuliau said.
Second five-eighth Tai Vaiusu and fullback-first five-eighth Willie Schuster were busy defenders in the MAC backline while hooker Amiga Mikaele again had a high workrate.
Substitute second five-eighth Kendall Gemmell had some memorable moments.
Clive 28 Pirate 25
A 77th minute try gave K9 Petfoods Clive this club day victory at Farndon Park.
Promising lock Dusky Pineaha and experienced No 8 Api Sione, in his return after a head knock five weeks ago provided plenty of grunt to the riversiders pack. Clive's halfback-first five-eighth combo of Bronson Hokianga and Tianua Poto combined well for a team which head coach Blair Cross said conceded too many penalties.
"Yes this was a topsy turvy game we should have had. But I'm happy with our improvement ... our forwards played well, we just need to sharpen up our back play," Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports manager Charles Reid said.
Busy No 8 Aaron McPhee, lock Tama Cahill and second five-eighth Kane Nepe-Apatu all made Reid's MVP list.
Hastings 37 Central 22
Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports produced their best rugby of the season during the first 30 minutes of this win at Waipukurau's Central Park.
"We built some phases, played error-free footy and our set piece was solid. We scored some long range triesand we had to play well to beat Central so we're pretty pleased," Hastings co-manager James Rosenberg said.
Hooker Jacob Devery, who scored two tries, and lock Ben Parsons battled effectively in the winning pack while halfback Jayden Rihia and first five-eighth Jardine Chung Ching controlled the tempo well.
Northfuels Central manager Ian Large said his troops lacked possession in the first half but fought back well in the second. Hooker Hamish Carroll and first-season prop Mitch McFadgen were gutsy in the host pack and second five-eighth Kody Lancaster was the best of the Central backs.