RUGBY: No so fast, says Paewai

SHANE HURNDELL
"Havelock North rules again."
SportToday received several of these text messages from jubilant Progressive Meats Havelock North fans after Saturday's eighth round in Hawke's Bay's Tui Nash Cup premier club rugby competition. They believe the defending champions have retained the cup with one round remaining and they wanted to make sure their side got the publicity they deserved.
However Havelock coach Murdoch Paewai wasn't having a bar of all the hype some of his side's supporters were attempting to generate.
"We've still got to pick up a win against MAC next week as Hastings (the only side to beat Havelock) could get the maximum five points against Central," said Paewai.
His team ran in six tries in a 34-5 win against Clive at Farndon Park. However Paewai was quick to point out his troops had to wait until 15 minutes into the second half to secure their bonus point for four tries.
Captain and No.8 Luke Ottley, lock Layton Onekawa and flankers Mike Sisam and Jaryd Warren all had high workrates in the winning pack. Halfback Danny Lee, first five-eighth Davis Tavita and midfielders Davis Norman and Justin Wilson all showed their class in the Havelock backline.
"They were classy. They killed us at lineout time and overall proved why they are top of the table and we are in the middle.
"I don't think I've seen a Clive team miss that many tackles at Farndon," said Clive manager Derek Ward. Three veterans, No.8 Glen Varcoe, fullback-winger Herman Ah Kiong and prop Alex Tuhi, were the best of his players.
Russell Roads Hastings Rugby and Sports kept their slim title hopes alive with a surprisingly comfortable 30-10 win over Tremains Napier Old Boys Marist at Elwood Park. Hooker Jamie Muir, winger Dan Stemp and prop Junior Tere were all prominent in the victory.
Winger Ross Callaghan, halfback Andrew Murphy, hooker Karl Parker and lock Liam Hale were the pick of the NOBM players. Former Pirate lock Lua Lokotui was a powerful figure at blindside flanker as his Carters Frame and Truss Taradale side spoilt Tanalished Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports club day celebrations with a 42-5 victory at Park Island. Halfback Chris Eaton, first five-eighth Ryan Lewis and fullback Aaron Hamilton were also outstanding for the winners.
The Pirate forwards enjoyed some memorable patches while first five-eighth Aayden Clarke continued his fine form from the Kelt Capital Magpies trial.
Tamatea produced their best performance of the season with a 27-0 win against Napier Technical at Bill Mathewson Park. Props Colin Mataira and Charles Haronga, along with lock Logan Beaton, were an inspirational trio in the host pack.
First five-eighth Anaru Bartlett, midfielders Raumoa Timu and Henare Harris and fullback Jason Robinson were all dangerous runners in the winning backline. Tech created enough scoring opportunities to at least secure a bonus point but could not complete them.
Lock Setefano Savia, flanker Mark Braidwood and No.8 Darren Deeley had high workrates in the Tech pack. Tech coach Arthur Brown said his troops are still positive despite their winless run and he's confident their gradual improvement will result in a win or two during the Maddison Trophy round.
Promising openside flanker Brad Stoddart again shone for Central in their 36-8 win against MAC at Waipukurau's Central Park. No.8 Bryce Barr was another to impress in the winning pack while first five-eighth Lee Stewart, in the absence of regular pivot Stephen Baker, directed his backline well.
"We should have ran up 50 points but had a bad case of the dropsies in the second half," said Central coach Robbie Hunter.
Midfielder Vilo Tiotala, lock Junior Mitchell and flanker David Harris all had memorable moments for MAC.