Rugby: Bragging rights up for grabs in grudge match

Expect some tension in Tom Parsons' Hastings flat towards the end of this week.

The IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports captain and lock flats with Carters Frame and Truss Taradale captain and No8 Andrew Gardner and their respective teams meet in a ninth round Nash Cup encounter at Taradale on Saturday.

"There's unlikely to be much talk between us on Thursday and Friday. Taradale lost twice to us last year and beat us once ... there's definitely some tension there," Parsons explained after a Magpies extended squad training session on Monday night.

"Hopefully we can stay on the right side of the ledger," Parsons said.

If Parsons, 22, can reproduce his player-of-the-match performance against Tamatea last weekend it will be a huge boost to the side. His display in the 16-9 victory at Elwood Park saw him become this season's eighth winner in the Tui-Hawke's Bay Today Club Player of the Year award.

"We knew Tamatea were going to bring it. They beat us up and their forward pack did well so I was pleased we hung in there for 80 minutes and turned things around in the second half," Parsons said.

The Lindisfarne College product and former Canterbury age group representative pointed out it the win was an appropriate reward for fullback James Rosenberg who set a club record of 110 appearances for the premier side.

"It was a shame we couldn't do it for Junior's 100th the previous week," Parsons said referring to frontrower Junior Tere who played his 100th in the 24-23 May 11 club day loss to Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports.

Although he works as a farmhand for his father, former Magpies loosie Rod Parsons' Middle Hills Contracts Ltd business in Takapau, Parsons flats in Hastings so he can attend Magpies early morning gym training sessions.

"I'm aiming to crack the Magpies ITM Cup squad again this year and get more game time than last year," Parsons said referring to his three appearances last year which included one start and two off the bench.

"I know I've got to work on my body position and be more effective at the breakdown particularly with my aggression at clean out time," Parsons explained.

While a lot of his work involved driving tractors he does get to do some fencing and this physical labour complements his training. Smoko breaks usually involve plenty of rugby talk with his Dad.

"Dad gives me plenty of feedback after every game. He is always pretty vocal at the games too," he said.

Parsons is hoping his Hastings side can go one better than their second placing in last year's Maddison Trophy final. However he realises he may miss the last five weeks of the Maddison Trophy comp if he cracks the ITM Cup squad.

"That's a sacrifice I'm prepared to make ... the Magpies squad is my priority," he added.

Needless to say a flatmates' wager needs to be settled first.

Best & Fairest

NOBM v Pirate:

3, Migao Lauano (NOBM); 2, Eugene Gerrard (NOBM); 1, Aaron McPhee (Pirate).

Hastings Rugby and Sports v Tamatea:

3, Tom Parsons (Hastings); 2, Jimmy Harris (Tamatea); 1, Jack Crasborn (Hastings).

Havelock North v Clive:

3, Matt Phillips (Havelock); 2, Brad Nicol (Havelock); 1, Jules Janson (Havelock).

Napier Technical v MAC:

3, Hugh Reed (Tech); 2, Ted Walters (Tech); 1, Lewis Tovou (MAC).

Taradale v Central:

3, Jody Allen (Taradale); 2, Chris Eaton (Taradale); 1, Kody Lancaster (Central).

LEADERBOARD

11 points: Hugh Reed (Tech).

10 points: Mark Braidwood (Tech).

9 points: Mark Atkins (Clive).

7 points:Mark Abbott (NOBM), Adam Bradey (Havelock).