RUGBY: Petia wants Magpie place back

SHANE HURNDELL
Pama Petia is eager to shake off his "discarded" tag and regain a berth in the Kelt Capital Magpies side this season.
"The long-term goal is to get back in but at the moment I'm just happy to be on the field," said Petia after shining in Russell Roads Hastings Rugby and Sports Nash Cup second round 29-17 win against Clive at Elwood Park on Saturday.
If Petia (pictured below) continues this form he should put pressure on the likes of clubmate Wirihana Raihania, Taradale's Mutu Ngarimu and Napier Old Boys Marist's Peniasi Tokakece who were all ahead of him last year in the battle for Magpies game time.
"It doesn't matter whether it's blindside flanker or No.8 as long as I get back in," said Petia, 27, who played the last of his 21 first class games for the Magpies midway through the 2005 NPC.
"It's just a pity work commitment have ruled me out of Magpies training sessions but there's still time," said the Patton Engineering fitter and welder who was a regular in the Hawke's Bay B team last year.
Lock Will Crutchley, prop Andre Russell and hooker Andrew Clarke were also prominent as Hastings established a 22-3 halftime lead. A lack of discipline from Clive also assisted as three of their players were sinbinned during the first half.
A clever solo try from captain Karl Lowe and the introduction of experienced forwards Alex Tuhi and Sam Ebbitt sparked a Clive comeback in the second spell but the damage was done in the first.
MAC also had three of their players sinbinned during their 41-0 loss to Taradale at Flaxmere's Ron Giorgi Park. At one stage the hosts were playing with 12 players but, despite this, displayed vast improvement on their previous week's performance.
Former Manu Samoa Sevens rep Vilo Tiotala, playing at centre, promising first five-eighth Tenei Tuipelehake and openside flanker Joe Taare were an impressive trio for MAC. Hooker Harvey Gardiner, flanker Scott Wielinga and halfback Chris Eaton were outstanding for Taradale.
Contrasting success rates in the goalkicking department proved the difference between Progressive Meats Havelock North and Tremains Napier Old Boys Marist as the defending champions won 20-15 at Anderson Park.
Former Canterbury B midfielder Sam Giddens landed five of his seven attempts for Havelock while New Zealand Maori first five-eighth Matt Berquist missed four of his six attempts for the visitors.
Prop David Briggs was a powerful forward for Havelock and while he was subbed off, the NOBM forwards enjoyed patches of dominance. The visitors failed to score points while Havelock winger and former New Zealand Sevens star Justin Wilson spent time in the sinbin.
Napier Technical's "international players" English blindside flanker Mark Braidwood and Welsh No.8 Darren Deeley, along with first five-eighth Riccardo Fox, were prominent in their improved performance as they lost 23-16 to Central at Whitmore Park.
Their bonus point was their first competition point in two seasons of premier rugby. Surprisingly Central failed to secure a bonus point for four tries.
"We didn't deserve one. We thought things were going to happen but didn't do enough to make them happen," said Central coach Robbie Hunter.
Fullback James Mackie, who scored two tries, and halfback Brett Menefy were the best of Hunter's players. Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports coach Adam McDonald was pleased with the improvement his side displayed in a 41-3 win against Tamatea at Bill Mathewson Park in Hastings.
Halfback Jarred McCarthy, who scored two tries, hooker Danny Logan and first five-eighth Aayden Clarke were among his standouts.
Tamatea coach Matt Marsh was also happy with the "giant strides" his troops had made during the past week despite the huge losing margin.
"But our boys can only pretend to be fit for so long," he said indicating they've still got a lot of work to do in the fitness department.