"Obviously in these conditions there were lots of knock-ons and lots of penalties ... we conceded 22 penalties, 13 of them in the second half."
Regular loosie Warwick Slingsby produced a player-of-the-match performance for Central at hooker, scoring two tries and kicking a conversion.
Blindside flanker Mua Sala and lock Lance Baker also impressed in the visiting pack. First five-eighth Tom Iosefo and halfback Wayne Nikora were the pick of the Tamatea backs, while lock Ivan Bellamy, No8 Hamiora Rowlands and openside flanker BJ Bland had memorable moments in the host pack.
Havelock North 19 MAC 3
Considering the weather conditions and the fact competition leaders Progressive Meats Havelock North were playing without seven Magpies training squad members, this Anderson Park victory was a surprise.
"In the slosh this was a very good character-building win for us," Havelock North head coach Tom Blake said.
While each one of the villagers players deserve praise for their contribution No8 Zane Rangi, captain and fullback Jacob Kennedy, blindside flanker Richard Tichborn and second five-eighth Levi Armstrong all made Blake's MVP list.
"We lacked the necessary intelligence and Havelock were the superior side," MAC head coach Pat Benson said.
Lock John Te Ngaio toiled tirelessly in the MAC pack and halfback Willy Schuster was the best of the visiting backs.
NOBM 26 Taradale 14
Carters Frame and Truss Taradale's hopes of securing a semifinal berth were dealt a severe blow with this loss on home turf.
"Yes the pressure is on now. We played well in the first half but things turned to custard in the second half," Taradale coach Blair Cross said.
Busy No8 Kaleb Sweet and openside flanker Jaaron Fritz had massive workrates in the Taradale pack. Halfback Karl Hewitt was again lively.
Hawke's Bay Insurances Napier Old Boys Marist, who have only lost two players to the Magpies training squad, again enhanced their reputation as genuine title contenders when outscoring their hosts 23-7 in the second half. Loosehead prop Jarvy Aoake and openside flanker Sean Watts battled effectively in the winning pack while halfback Johnny Ioane was again full of authority.
Pirate 15 Hastings 14
Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports dashed the faint semifinal hopes IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports had with this nail-biting win at Park Island.
"This one could have gone either way but our boys dug deep and held Hastings out during the final two minutes," Pirate manager Murray Kennedy said.
Loosehead prop Conrad Rieter and flankers James Wairau and Hamish Willis all had massive workrates.
"We played well in the first half when we led 11-0 and at 14-5 up in the second half we should have won. But we could not get the territory we wanted for most of the second half," Hastings co-coach Karl Jones said.
New lock Geoff Gridge, who has transferred from Christchurch, and openside flanker Tom Burns operated well in the Hastings pack while fullback James Rosenberg was the pick of the visiting backs.
Tech 36 Clive 7
Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical spoiled Clive flanker James Tango's 100th game celebrations with this Farndon Park victory.
While Tango was again among Clive's best, it was his Tech counterpart Hugh Reed who produced another player-of-the-match performance. Reed, who is likely to play in the Heartland Championship this season after failing to make the Magpies squad, scored two tries.
Prop Mark Braidwood, who is also being considered for Heartland Championship play, and halfback Scott Mogford were also dynamic for the visitors.
Regular hooker Jorian Tangaere, playing at No8, and blindside flanker Daniel Chamberlain joined Tango as the pick of the Clive forwards. Clive halfback Daniel Montaperto also had some memorable moments.
