"Everyone knows how tough it is to win down here and we did it without five first stringers," an elated Clive manager Alan Nisbet said.
Openside flanker James Tango was Clive's player-of-the-match. Blindside flanker Robbie Barr, No8 Mua Sala and first five-eighth Tom Beachen were all prominent for Central.
Taradale 23 Tech 19
Centre Leafi Tupuola produced a player-of-the-match performance in his 50th appearance for Taradale during this upset at Whitmore Park.
"Leafi was strong in all aspects of play. After last week's close loss to Pirate it was nice to be on the right side of the ledger after a close encounter. Everyone learnt a lot from last week ... we shut a game down by playing percentage rugby instead of letting it slip away," delighted Carters Frame and Truss Taradale coach Blair Cross said afterwards.
Promising No8 Kaleb Sweet produced tremendous impact as a 25th minute replacement off the bench and lock Johan Schoonbee also impressed for the visitors.
"Considering how below strength we were we fronted up well," Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical manager Cyril Whitburn said.
Six of Tech's first string forwards were unavailable and it was their fourth consecutive match without halfback Sheridan Rangihuna and Magpies winger Penikolo Latu who are on World Cup duty with the New Zealand under-20 side. Rangihuna's deputy Scott Mogford, openside flanker Angus Benson and No8 Levi Guildford were the best of the host players.
NOBM 29 Hastings 9
Napier Old Boys Marist enhanced their reputation as serious semifinal contenders with this win at Elwood Park.
It was the second consecutive week NOBM had kept their opponents tryless and on Saturday Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited NOBM kept IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports scoreless in the second half.
"Our boys knew how desperate Hastings were going to be and responded," NOBM coach Mike Warren said.
Blindside flanker and Magpies captain Mike Coman and loosehead prop Reece O'Leary were inspirational in the winning pack. Centre Migao Lauano again displayed the benefits of his 152 games at this level.
"It was a tough day at the office for us. We didn't get out of the blocks which was a bit disappointing," Hastings co-coach Karl Jones said.
Prop Jason Long, lock Mark Ioane and halfback Adam Ross all made Jones' MVP list.
Havelock 46 Pirate 5
Give unbeaten defending champions Progressive Meats Havelock North too much space and you will be punished big time.
Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports learnt this during this six tries to one loss at Park Island. As Pirate manager Murray Kennedy said:
"We couldn't put enough pressure on them and allowed them to move too freely."
Experienced Havelock second five-eighth Levi Armstrong impressed with his carries and pace. Openside flanker Liam Murphy, who scored two tries in his second start for the side and winger Mikey Vuicakau, who scored two spectacular tries in the first half, were others to shine for the visitors.
Openside flanker Marcus Donovan and No8 Ross Miller toiled tirelessly in the losing pack while centre Jackson Neilson had some memorable moments in the Pirate backline.
MAC 28 Tamatea 8
MAC head coach Pat Benson was a man of mixed emotions after this win at Bill Mathewson Park, Hastings.
"It's great to be three from three but we're disappointed we missed out on the bonus point for four tries," Benson said.
MAC first five-eighth Jackson Waerea impressed with his directional play and option taking. Blindside flanker Jaamin Pere, prop Sammy Porutu, hooker Jesse MacDonald and openside flanker Louie Tovo all made huge contributions to the winning pack.
Veteran prop-lock was the pick of the below-strength Hawke's Bay Seafoods Tamatea side. Hooker Te Maangi Hamlin and No8 Hamiora Rowlands also had high workrates.
