Like Clive manager Alan Nisbet, Ropiha, was proud of his team's first half effort and pointed out it will only be a matter of time before that consistency can be maintained for a full game. Clive's imported No 8 Mark Atkins was the player-of-the-match.
Pirate coach Phil Rumpler was impressed with the manner in which his "relatively inexperienced" line-up fought back in the second half to secure the victory with the bonus point for four tries. Hill marshalled his backs well and prop Kelsey Miller was inspirational in the pack.
Havelock 26 Hastings 23
"If each team gets one get out of jail free card to use we've used ours," Progressive Meats Havelock North coach Tom Blake remarked after his troops maintained their unbeaten run with this victory at Elwood Park.
A last second penalty try awarded by referee Stu Catley gave the visitors the win. IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports fullback James Rosenberg nudged the ball over the dead ball line when he beat Havelock North's Levi Armstrong in the chase to a clever chip kick from Ihaia West.
"That was a learning thing for us. We were all over Havelock like a rash but a couple of wrong options when under pressure cost us the game," Hastings coach Aaron Bartlett said.
Prominent for his side were second five-eighth Ausage Fomai, who set up two tries, prop Jason Long and Rosenberg. Centre Brad Nicol, No 8 Zane Rangi and second five-eighth Jacob Kennedy all made Blake's MVP list.
NOBM 15 MAC 10
Hawke's Bay Insurances Napier Old Boys Marist coach Mike Warren was heaping kudos on his hooker Semiperive Semeane after this Park Island win.
"The Magpies coaches have to be looking at Semiperive. His workrate both defensively and on the charge was outstanding out there. Who would have noticed Jesse MacDonald was playing?" Warren asked of the MAC hooker who was the Magpies' third-string rake last year.
MacDonald, like his fellow MAC forwards, were guilty of being too loose for long periods. When they tightened up the likes of lock Jean-Pierre Liebenberg and blindside flanker Everard Reid gained valuable metres.
First five-eighth Jackson Waerea, winger Jeston Craig and fullback J'ndre Liebenberg had memorable patches in the visiting backline. However far too often the MAC runners ran with the ball in one hand which made it easy for the NOBM defenders to force turnovers.
Loosies Mike Coman and Mark Abbott joined Semeane as the pick of the host pack while second five-eighth Mark Collier was constructive until forced to retire with a knee injury.
Taradale 44 Tamatea 24
Three tries during the last 15 minutes made this home win for Carters Frame and Truss Taradale look better than it was.
"We needed a win but it wasn't a pretty one. Because of silly errors we weren't as dominant as the score suggests," Taradale coach Blair Cross said.
Openside flanker Jaaron Fritz, fullback Manihera Eden and centre Tom McIntyre were among Taradale's best. Tamatea's display was a vast improvement on the previous week's loss to Napier Technical.
Loosies Hamiora Rowlands and Henare Harris had massive workrates for the visitors while prop Chase Manaena can be proud of his efforts against opponents with bigger reputations.
NTOB 46 Central 13
Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical took the outright lead in the competition with this convincing seven tries to one home win.
"We were aiming to stay within 25 points of Tech but their forwards were too big and their backs too fast," Central manager Tony Lepelaars said.
Prop Mark Braidwood was again rampant in the winning pack. Fullback Tamati Samuels and centre Leo Ene were classy in the backline. Lock Conrad Pedersen impressed with his never-say-die approach in the Central pack while halfback Braydon Hardwidge was gutsy.
