Nash Cup rugby: Father son duo in Pirates

Before kick-off in the feature Hawke's Bay premier club rugby clash at Napier's Park Island on Saturday, Matt Hill had a message for his Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports coach Phil Rumpler.
"Don't put Dad on unless you really have to. He is 49 this year ... he will have a heart attack."
Second five-eighth Hill couldn't hide his admiration for his father and substitute prop Greg following his 10 minutes of action in the Pirate side 33-3 Nash Cup first round victory against Clive.
"Dad did well ... I'll have to give him a congratulatory hug in the changing room," said Hill, 24, who returned to the Bay this year after a seven season stint in Wellington.
"I got close to making the Lions side but injuries got in the way. It's good to be back in the Bay. Dad told me to come and play for Pirates in the club's 125th jubilee and it was a hard offer to turn down," said the former Napier Old Boys' Marist junior grade player.
His father, who made his premier debut for the club in 1989 and made his last premier appearance four years ago, was one of two players who closed up 100 game for the hosts on Saturday. Former Magpies and Zimbabwe winger Karl Mudzamba was the other.
New prop Kelsey Miller and first five-eighth were both prominent for the Pirate side. Flanker James Tango was the best of the Clive side.
Scorers: Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 33 (K Miller, J McCarthy, K Alexander, A Clarke, K Bloxham tries; Clarke 3, T Symes cons), Clive 3 (D Nielsen pen). HT: 19-3.
NOBM 6 Central 0
Napier Old Boys Marist secured the Challenge Trophy with a 6-0 win against Central at Waipukurau's Central Park.
"The conditions ruined any hope of enterprising back play ... the ball was like a cake of soap," said NOBM coach Mike Warren.
"Any win is a good win down at Central and we defended well," he added before singling out lock Warren Johnson and flankers Hogan Green and Matt Robinson as the best of the visitors.
Prop Andrew Martin, second five-eighth Lee Stewart and winger Sam Gray were all prominent for the hosts.
"The game was there for either side to take right up until the final whistle. While we were happy with our competitiveness we weren't happy to lose the trophy in a match as close as that," said Central manager Graeme Dudley.
Scorers: Napier Old Boys Marist 6 (M Jackman 2 pens), Central 0. HT: 6-0.
Hastings Rugby and Sports 25, Taradale 8
New Hastings Rugby and Sports coach Richard Saunders celebrated his premier debut with a 25-8 win against Taradale at Elwood Park.
"I'm quite happy. The boys played well as a team with a lot of structure and stuck to the game plan which was the important thing," said Saunders who had previously coached the club's colts side.
Prop Junior Tere was the hosts' player of the match. Openside flanker Tivaini Fomai continued his outstanding Hawke's Bay Development side form and scored two tries while halfback Matt Makris was another to impress for Hastings.
Busy No.8 Kaleb Sweet, prop Mike Hurworth and lock Andrew Gardner were the pick of the Taradale players.
Scorers: Hastings Rugby and Sports 25 (T Fomai 2, A Saunders, M Makris tries; J Hill pen, con), Taradale 8 (W Faletutulu try; L Wright pen). HT: 13-3.
Napier Technical 29, MAC 9
Defending champions Napier Technical opened their campaign with a 29-9 win against MAC at Flaxmere's Ron Giorgi Park.
Openside flanker Luke Wishnowsky celebrated his return to the Bay from Wellington with two tries.
Gutsy prop Beau Gibson had a huge workrate while first five-eighth Tipene Cottrell landed all seven of his kicks at goal for a 19 point haul.
"It was a rusty start to the season from us and Tech played smarter rugby," said MAC coach Anthony Morley.
Props Whetu Barber and Luke Tihema scrummaged well and made it easy for hooker Jarrod Edwards to secure seven tightheads. Morley was also happy with his first five-eighth J'ndre Liebenberg's debut for the club.
Scorers: Napier Technical 29 (L Wishnowsky 2 tries; T Cottrell 5 pens, 2 cons), MAC 9 (E Wainohu 2, J Liebenberg pens). HT: 22-6.
Havelock North 36, Tamatea 23
"We're better than last year," warned Tamatea assistant coach Brian Harris and there was plenty of evidence during his team's 36-23 loss to Havelock North at Bill Mathewson Park.
Tamatea matched the competition favourite's three tries, trailed 10-8 at halftime and were competitive until the final whistle.
"A lack of discipline let us down and when you are up against a goalkicker like Havelock's Ihaia West that will cost you," added Harris.
First five-eighth West landed five penalties and three conversions from nine attempts at goal. Second five-eighth Levi Armstrong, who set up two tries, and loosies Adam Bradey and Tony Lamborn were others to shine for the villagers.
Hooker Te Maangi Hamlin was inspirational for Tamatea. Loosies Henare Harris, Hamiora Rowlands and Kerry Reid and centre Cory Vainu also made valuable contributions.
Scorers: Havelock North 36 (S Lamborn, B Neera, J Kennedy tries; I West 5 pens, 3 cons), Tamatea 23 (T Hutana, J Robinson, M Tomoana tries; E Harris 2 pens, A Harmer con). HT: 10-8.