"Our forwards did a great job giving our backs plenty of ball and they looked pretty slick running into space, putting pressure on and scoring."
Napier coach Steve Woods summed up his team's loss to Hastings West yesterday in three words.
"We got thumped. West basically repeated what they did to Hastings East on Wednesday. They put pressure on all parts of our ruck and scrum, our set pieces, they kicked the ball and chased. It was a very clinical, complete performance and it's a credit to their managers and coaches," he said.
Players who worked hard for Napier in the forwards included co-captain Bradley Graham, Cameron Huata and Tauhe Kaweroa while, in the backs, Nikau McGregor and Daniel Sharplin were strong performers.
Woods must now prepare his Napier outfit for their final game of the Ross Shield tournament, against Hastings East, another tough assignment he admitted.
"It's an emotional time for the players after [a loss] because they realise the shield has gone but it's about picking up your bottom lip, being prepared for another big game and it'll be a test of character to see who can do that.
"There are still [Hawke's Bay] Ross Shield jerseys up for grabs for some of the players so there's plenty to play for."
Hastings East coach Louie Papuni said he was happy with the way his team bounced back from Wednesday's heavy loss to defeat Dannevirke 41-7 yesterday.
"We had Will Tremain back playing today, after being injured, and he made a real difference.
"Also, we had Tristan Finch who started at fullback after spending yesterday [Wednesday] vomiting in bed, had a bit of food poisoning. But he came right and played the whole game."
Papuni said the players wanted to finish the tournament well in their game against Napier today.
"We had a big heart-to-heart talk after the loss to Wests and the boys fronted for the game against Dannevirke, so I think we are ready."
Dannevirke coach Jerome Pitt said Hastings East came out "too fast and too strong" for his outfit yesterday afternoon. He was pleased, however, with his team's only try of the game. It came from a set move, moving the ball from the No8 to the halfback and on to blindside winger Zane Taiti who scored in the corner. The try was converted by the vice captain, Zafar Hussain.
Opposition coach Papuni also said it was a "well executed set piece" and Hussain did well to slot the difficult sideline kick.
Dannevirke finish their 2011 Ross Shield campaign with a local country derby match against neighbours Central Hawke's Bay.
"Central got up against Wairoa by 20-nil and we got past Wairoa 19-nil so you would think there's only one point between us," Pitt said.
Dannevirke's Rugby Park had held up well in overnight rain this week and 12 games in four days.
Pitt said it was also a test of endurance for the players who, by the end of tomorrow, would notch up five games in as many days, an achievement not reached by any All Blacks team to date.
"We lost one player to a broken ankle on the first day, got a few bruises, but everyone will be match-fit for the game against Central."
Today, Hastings West play Wairoa at 11am, Dannevirke take on Central at noon and Napier will play Hastings East at 1pm.
Yesterday's results: Hastings West 41 (Tyrell August; Josh Dearden; Roger Paewai; Lincoln McClutchie; Tane Hohipa; Donny Matira; Chris Hicks, tries; Josh Dearden 3 conversions ) Napier 5 (Tawhiri Cruickshank). HT: 17-5 Hastings West. Player of the match: Chris Hicks, Hastings West.
Hastings East 36 (Trent Hape, 3 tries, 1 conversion; Voyage Christy, Harlem Ioelu, Areis Jones-Timu; Jacob Devery; Travis Graham, 1 conversion) Dannevirke 5 (Zane Taite; Zafar Hussain, 1 conversion). HT: 31-nil Hastings East. Player of the match Trent Hape, Hastings East.
Central Hawke's Bay 20 (Cailyn Ross, Conrad Kutia, Xavier Hill, 2 tries) Wairoa 0. HT: 10-0. Player of the match: David Rawnsley, Central.