Rugby: Fa'afua double has MAC roaring for victory

Mose Fa'afua picked the right time to turn on the razzle dazzle, on two occasions, in Saturday's fourth round of Hawke's Bay's Maddison Trophy premier club rugby competition.

The fourth season MAC fulback-winger had been having a relatively quiet season, by his own previous high standards, until the second half of his team's entertaining 34-31 win against Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Park Island. Left winger Fa'afua scored his first try which fulback J'ndre Liebenberg converted to put the visitors ahead 27-24 with 20 minutes remaining.

Eleven minutes later with his team trailing 31-29 Fa'afua again displayed his electrifying pace and clever stepping ability when scampering 50 metres for what proved to be the matchwinning try.

"The boys showed a lot of character to bounce back from a 21-8 halftime deficit. If we can play like that next week we will beat Napier Old Boys Marist too," Fa'afua said, referring to the feature fifth round match which is likely to determine the second qualifiers for the semifinals.

A former Sydney-based rugby league player, Fa'afua, played in the MAC side which lost a 2011 Maddison Trophy semifinal 11-8 to Havelock North and he said he was eager to play in a winning semifinal this season. His MAC backs coach and former Magpies winger Ray Karauria agreed with Fa'afua and said he couldn't fault the character, commitment and passion from his team which was missing several key players.

Flankers Louie Tovo and Api Sione were also prominent in the MAC side.

Pirate's faint hopes of securing a semifinal berth were dashed in the loss as they are ninth on the points table. Lock Roger McPherson, halfback Zane Hiko and midfield back Matt Hill had memorable moments for the Pirate side.

Havelock 30 Taradale 23

Progressive Meats Havelock North openside flanker Tony Lamborn will probably remember this Anderson Park victory for the rest of his life.

After producing a player-of-the-match performance Lamborn, like in-form loosehead prop Brendon Edmonds, received a club blazer in recognition of their 50th appearances for the side. Following the after-match function, Lamborn and his fiance Abby Lash had their engagement party.

In addition to winning 50ths for Edmonds and Lamborn it was a winning 125th for the villagers experienced outside back John Robin. Halfback Isaac Paewai, who scored two tries as unbeaten Havelock North retained the Challenge Shield and Cooper-O'Dwyer Cup, also made head coach Tom Blake's MVP list.

Carters Frame and Truss Taradale tighthead prop Jody Allen also scored two tries and toiled tirelessly in the tight. Loosehead prop Mike McLachlan also impressed in the visiting pack and regular fullback Manihera Eden, playing at first five-eighth, was tidy in the maroons backline.

Hastings 37 Clive 15

IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports gave substitute flanker Fatu Peia a winning 50th appearance and blazer game with this Farndon Park win.

It was the Hastings team's first win in five outings and co-coach Aaron Bartlett said Peia provided powerful impact off the bench. Another flanker, Jack Crasborn, was the visitors player-of-the-match.

Fullback James Rosenberg and No8 Peniasi Tokakece displayed the benefits of their vast experience for the visitors. Clive trailed 13-10 at halftime in the feature game of their club day.

Manager Alan Nisbet said the hosts were guilty of going off the boil in the second spell and a couple of key injuries was a contributing factor. Hooker Jorian Tangaere and openside flanker James Tango again battled effectively in the Clive pack and halfback Daniel Montaperto was lively.

Tech 48 Tamatea 13

Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical openside flanker Hugh Reed required just 40 minutes to grab a hat-trick and produce a player-of-the-match display in this club day victory at Whitmore Park.

"It was Hugh's first game back after three weeks off with injury so we took him off at halftime ... we didn't want him to overdo things so soon in his comeback," Tech manager Cyril Whitburn said.

Blindside flanker Josh Te Whata-Colley was also inspirational in the Tech pack. Second five-eighth Tane McGuire was the best of the winning backs.

Considering the length of their injury list and the fact they had no substitutes, Hawke's Bay Seafoods Tamatea stuck to their task well particularly in the first half when they trailed 17-6 at the interval. Their injury list was added to when hooker Te Maangi Hamlin collected a suspected broken arm and utility back Wayne Nikora a couple of broken fingers.

Shane Mataira, who had stints at lock and hooker, fellow veteran Campbell Johnston, who had stints at halfback and flanker, and winger Jarom Mareikura all impressed with their never-say-die approach for the visitors.

NOBM 44 Central 6

Central's contribution to this Park Island encounter wasn't reflected by the final score.

The winless visitors played with heaps of guts, passion and commitment but were guilty of conceding soft turnovers.

"Yes... we didn't capitalise on our opportunities because our execution wasn't the best," Central coach Rob Evans said before singling out No8 Warwick Slingsby and the halfback first five-eighth combo of Braydon Hardwidge and Tom Beachen as his team's best.

Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited NOBM coach Mike Warren agreed it took his troops 20 minutes to fire but he was impressed with the manner in which they kept their opponents tryless for the third consecutive week. Prop Mike King had a huge workrate in the tight while halfback Johnny Lauano and fullback Jone Paumao were constructive in the hosts backline.

Centre Sam Weber, who is home on holiday from Otago University, was quick to capitalise on Central turnovers and scored two cracker tries.