Rugby: Havelock North fail to respond to patron's rev-up before Napier Old Boys Marist clash

Try Time! NOBM substitute back Sam Weber dashes in for one of his two tries against Havelock North. Photo/Warren Buckland

It was patron Bob Mitchell's turn to try to fire up the Havelock North premier rugby side on Saturday and he couldn't have done a better job.

"Put a bit of ticker in the jersey. Have a look at our history on the walls as you walk out of here and back it up. These blokes have won 25 on the trot . . . don't let it be 26," Mitchell told Progressive Meats Havelock North before they took on unbeaten defending champions Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist in a third round Tui Maddison Trophy clash at Anderson Park.

The villagers, as was the case the previous week against Hastings, failed to respond in the appropriate manner. They made too many unforced mistakes, their forwards were outmuscled at set piece time and in general play and their backs lacked the necessary cohesion on defence during their 44-12 loss.

But Havelock head coach Murdoch Paewai said it wasn't panic time for the seventh-placed regular semifinalists yet.

"Yes, we made too many mistakes and we didn't capitalise on all of our opportunities against a team which you have to take your chances against. But we never gave up. We've been in this position before and made the semis . . . it's a big six weeks ahead for us."

His NOBM counterpart, Craig Gowler, was naturally delighted with his troops' ball retention, patience and skillsets but he wasn't getting carried away after the Green Machine's victory.

"We know it could be a totally different game next time we come up against them."

Flankers Matt Gardner and Chris Johnston were workaholics for the visitors. Gardner was impressive on the carry and on defence while Johnston forced numerous turnovers at the breakdown. Substitute back Sam Weber shone with his options and distribution and deserved his two tries.

Second five-eighth Kalin Paewai, in his 50th appearance, was the best of the villagers, with some dynamic carries and numerous tackles. Centre Teihana Brown was also busy before forced off with injury and flanker Sam Lamborn was the pick of the forwards.

Pirate 22 Central 19
Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports gained revenge for a Nash Cup round defeat with this victory at Waipukurau's Central Park.

"Central came out with a bit of fizz and deserved their 12-8 halftime lead. We led the second half 14-0 until they scored a converted try in the last minute," Pirate manager Charles Reid explained.

Lock Tama Cahill and second five-eighth Kane Nepe-Apatu, both former Central age-group players, joined flanker Jesse Kapene, halfback Tione Hubbard, who scored two tries, and winger Naua Auisele as key architects of the win. Tighthead prop Mitchell - a first-year premier player, McFadden and No 8 Ben Carpenter were tireless workers in the Central pack.

Winger Jayden Milner, who scored two tries and shone with his defensive work, was the best of the Northfuels Central backs.

Tech 83 Tamatea 21
Halfback Johnny Bristol scored 28 points as his Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical side grabbed a share of second place with this Whitmore Park drubbing.

Bristol kicked 10 conversions and a penalty from 13 attempts at goal and scored one of the Texans' 12 tries. Tighthead prop Tere Joel was again inspirational in the winning pack. Centre Tane McGuire joined Bristol as the pick of the Tech backs.

Tamatea had some memorable patches but there weren't enough of those periods. Centre Hunta Marsh, who returned from a holiday in Thailand the previous day, operated well in the visiting backline. Lock John Wang and tightead prop shone with their never-say-die approach in the Tamatea engine room.

Hastings 36 Taradale 22
Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports also have a share of second place after this Tareha Reserve win.

"We played well in the first half to lead 22-10 but let Taradale back in the second half when we went away from our patterns," Hastings co-manager James Rosenberg said.

Second five-eighth Ausage Fomai, first five-eighth Jardine Chung Ching and winger Johnny Saifiti were an enterprising trio in the winning backline. Hooker Jacob Devery and No 8 Warwick Slingsby again provided plenty of grunt to the winning pack.

Carters Frame and Truss Taradale assistant coach Mutu Ngarimu said his troops failed to capitalise on opportunities.

"We dropped the ball at crucial moments and got punished."

Winger Nick Biss, lock Reece Aranui and second five-eighth Billy Ropiha all made Ngarimu's MVP list.

Clive 28 MAC 24
Four MAC players completed 160 minutes of play for the day in a courageous display from their side during this Farndon Park loss.

"One of our players, George Crichton, had his wedding in Wellington and several of our players were there. So we were thrilled four of our reserve graders could do another 80 for us," MAC manager Narley Tuliau said.

It was one of the few occasions this season none of the MAC players were yellow or red carded. Midfielders Kendall Gemmell and Vai Kereti and frontrower Amiga Mikaele and Larry Olive were all key contributors to the competitive effort.

"It wasn't a flash effort from us but we got the five points which was the goal," K9 Petfoods Clive head coach Blair Cross said.

First five-eighth Tianua Poto and fullback-centre Cory Tautau functioned well in the winning backline. Lock Tali Faiumu produced plenty of spark in the Clive engine room.