Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports hooker Matt Martin took a pounding in Saturday's Hawke's Bay premier club rugby clash against MAC at Flaxmere.
Yet despite the huge number of hits Martin took, he couldn't stop smiling throughout the intense seventh round Tui Maddison Trophy encounter which saw his team maintain their unbeaten run and capture the Challenge Trophy with a 22-17 win against another previously unbeaten side.
His smile was particularly huge after he produced a goose step and clever pass to put halfback Jarrod McCarthy away for his second try, which gave the visitors a 22-7 lead.
"You're right it's the fittest I've been and I'm enjoying my rugby," said Martin afterwards.
"Playing back-to-back seasons has definitely helped my fitness," said Martin, 22, who nine weeks ago returned from a stint with Scottish premier one side Selkirk.
"You had to man up over there as it was very physical ... just like today's game."
The former Hawke's Bay under-20s representative was rapt with the manner in which the visitors won on Saturday without their first-string halfback-first five-eighth combination of Michael Ruru and David Neilson, who are in the United States with the New Zealand Universities under-20 side.
Captain and No 8 Marcus Donovan led the winning pack well with admirable support from blindside flanker Karl Bloxham and lock Lloyd Foote. Fullback Kris Alexander and winger Bryn Uriarau were dangerous in the Pirate backline.
MAC coach Anthony Morley was disappointed his side conceded 13 penalties while only being awarded four. First five-eighth J'ndre Liebenberg, loosie Everard Reid and second five-eighth Ihaka Waerea had memorable patches for the hosts.
Scorers: Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 22 (J McCarthy 2, K Bloxham, B Uriarau tries; K Alexander con), MAC 17 (E Reid, J Liebenberg tries; 2 cons, pen). HT: 5-0.
West reaches 200
Progressive Meats Havelock North first five-eighth Ihaia West became the first player to pass 200 points for the season.
West took his tally to 214 with a try, four conversions and a penalty in a 36-19 win against Central at Waipukurau.
His team used the match to expose a couple of development as well as colts players to premier level.
Lock Rhys Evans and flanker Carl Anderson were prominent in the Havelock pack. Winger-second five-eighth Andy Barham displayed the benefits of his vast experience in the defending champions backline.
Bottom-of-the-table Central competed well particularly in the first half when they trailed 19-12. There were several sinbinnings in the match and Central played the final five minutes with 14 players.
Busy No8 Tom Bowie who scored two tries, lock Jake Chalmers and prop Marcus Jackson, who was playing his 50th match, were industrious in the Central pack. Scottish centre Matt Logan can be proud of his first outing for the side after being promoted from the reserve grade team.
Scorers: Havelock North 36 (B Neera 2, L Ottley, I West, C Anderson tries; West 4 cons, pen), Central 19 (T Bowie 2, M Logan tries; L Stewart 2 cons). HT: 19-12.
Clive run riot
Clive stepped out of relegation danger in style with a 55-3 drubbing of Russell Roads Hastings Rugby and Sports at Elwood Park.
Hastings coach Richard Saunders was full of praise for the manner in which Clive ran in seven tries and kept his troops tryless.
Centre Billy Ropiha scored 25 points, the highest tally in the round, with a try, four penalties and four conversions.
Lock Casper Repko and and veteran No8 Sam Ebbitt had high workrates in the Clive pack. Loose forwards Hamish McLean and Pama Petia joined midfield back Neria Fomai as the best of the Hastings players.
Scorers: Clive 55 (N Bruce, D Montaperto, O Jones, N Worsley, B Ropiha, H Ah Kiong, C Tautau tries; Ropiha 4 pens, 4 cons), Hastings Rugby and Sports 3 (D Smith pen). HT: 23-3.
Rukuwai shinesTremains Napier Old Boys Marist coach Mike Warren describes his fullback Liam Rukuwai as the "quiet assassin".
Rukuwai proved why with a 22-point haul as his side secured fourth spot with a 32-16 win against Tamatea at Park Island. He succeeded with six of his eight attempts at goal with five penalties and a conversion and also scored a try.
Winger Migao Lauano and his brother, Johnny, at halfback were others to impress for the hosts.
Flankers Dan Paku and Henare Harris joined second five-eighth Matau Tomoana as the best of the Tamatea players.
Tamatea assistant coach Bryan Harris says his players know they must win their remaining two matches to have a chance of regaining fourth spot and a semifinal berth.
Scorers: Napier Old Boys Marist 32 (L Rukuwai, H Renata, M Wyatt tries; Rukuwai 5 pens, con), Tamatea 16 (D Paku, P Paselio tries; E Harris 2 pens). HT: 16-13.
Tech boost hopes
Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical boosted their chances of a semifinal courtesy of a 25-17 win against Carters Frame and Truss Taradale at Taradale.
Experienced campaigners Mark Braidwood and Darren Deeley led by example in the Tech engine room and centre Asa Ene was again powerful in the winning backline.
Their team's victory dashed the hopes last season's runners-up Taradale had of securing a semifinal berth.
"It's been a season of not quites for us," said Taradale coach Alby Baker.
Baker listed first five-eighth Andrew Wilson, winger Ashton Tuck and lock Andrew Gardner as his team's best.
Scorers: Napier Technical 25 (B Tareha, J Muir, D Waanga tries; T Cottrell 2 cons, 2 pens), Taradale 17 (M Chaffey, A Tuck, K Lawson tries; N Ramsay con). HT: Taradale 10-7.
Martin takes the knocks but bounces back in style
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