Napier Technical flanker Hugh Reed has recorded the biggest win in the history of the Hawke's Bay club rugby player-of-the-year award.
Reed beat his Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical clubmate, prop Mark "Cracker" Braidwood, by seven points in the battle for the Tui-Hawke's Bay Today award.
"It's been a good season but naturally this award would mean more if Tech could go on and win the Maddison Trophy. It's been a while and hopefully this is the year," Reed said, referring to the fact Tech last won the Bay's most prestigious club rugby trophy in 1992.
Receiving the award has been part of a memorable week for Reed. The 2008 New Zealand under-20 world champion finished his Bachelor of Business Studies degree at EIT, celebrated Tech's winning of the Black and White Shield (for the Bay's top overall club this season) on Saturday night and finalised his Heartland Championship contract with Poverty Bay, which he will begin once Tech's season has ended.
"I haven't got a job at the moment so it will be good to try something else and play in the Heartland Championship," Reed, 24, said.
"The Black and White Shield success was pretty special. It means the whole club is doing well ... it's not just about one team," Reed explained.
He pointed out there were four strong teams in the semifinals and predicted two close encounters on Saturday when his side host Taradale at Whitmore Park and Havelock North host Napier Old Boys Marist at Anderson Park.
"While I'm not overly confident about our chances against Taradale, I think we can beat them. We got them in the Nash round [21-3] and they got us back [23-19] in the last game. Hopefully we get them back this time ... it will come down to who wants it more on the day," Reed said.
He agreed a key factor would be how many of the Magpies training squad members were available for each team.
Reed is in his sixth season of playing in the Bay and he emphasised a key to his success this season had been the fact he studied full-time.
"This season has been the first since I've been in the Bay that I've been able to do that. In the past I've had to fit my studies around my commitments with the Magpies.
"When I got out on the field this winter I felt good to have that outlet and I made the most of it."
Needless to say, Tech supporters will be hoping Reed feels good for another two games at least.
Depending on his success in the Heartland Championship it may only be another 12 months before he pulls on a Magpies' jersey again and has a chance to add to his nine first-class appearances for Hawke's Bay from 2008-11.
That would be another story he could tell youngsters when he takes on his part-time role as a worker for the Kelly Sports franchise in Napier.