In sharp contrast the Texans development grade players who took the field appeared a little lost on what was required.
Regular loosie Matt Gardner, who played at lock for the Green Machine, was again dynamic and pipped flanker Chris Johnston and No 8 Joseph Penitito for player-of-the-match honours.
Magpies head coach Craig Philpott, who was among the spectators, should have been impressed with the trio, particularly Penitito and Gardner, who are both in the Magpies wider training group.
Regular lock-loosie Ricky Hayes coped admirably in his first premier outing at second five-eighth.
While the Texans deserve praise for a competitive second half the damage was done in the first when they conceded 45 unanswered points.
Tech co-coach Steve Woods acknowledged the hosts' set-piece play wasn't good enough.
"Particularly our lineout. We also kicked too much ball back to them and we shouldn't have done that when we didn't win enough in the first place."
Captain and prop Mark Braidwood, lock Elijah Martin and second five-eighth Ted Walters shone with their never-say-die approach for the hosts.
Pirate 28 Taradale 5
Give the prize for the most improved team in the comp to Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports.
This victory at Tareha Recreational Reserve was their fourth on the trot after eight consecutive losses but manager Charles Reid wasn't getting too carried away.
"Taradale were a bit under-strength. But it is good to be on track for a semifinal berth and it's pleasing to beat some sides which we slipped up against in the Nash round."
Fullback Ted Symes, winger Bryn Uriarau and first five-eighth Edoardo Stella, who scored his first try for the visitors, were the pick of the Pirates.
"We weren't there. It was a frustrating display from our team and Pirates played all the rugby," said Carters Frame and Truss Taradale head coach Jason Shoemark.
Captain and No 8 Andrew Gardner was again the best of the hosts. Openside flanker Jacob Baker and hooker Nick Hyde also made Shoemark's MVP list.
Clive 33 Central 18
Double centurion Sam Ebbitt scored two tries for K9 Petfoods Clive as they secured second place on the table with this win at Waipukurau's Central Park.
Ebbitt, who is on the wrong side of 40, started for a team which has a lengthy injury list after a stint off the bench the previous week. Lock Rana Huata and captain and No 8 Jorian Tangaere were an inspirational pair in the Clive engine room.
First five-eighth Tianua Poto controlled play well for the visitors. Northfuels Central manager Ian Large said the match was closer than the score indicates.
"We lacked possession in the first half but had a good second half," he said referring to the hosts' 10-5 win of the second half.
Blindside flanker Wilbur Redward and loosehead prop Mitchell McFayden were a gutsy pair in the Central pack while centre Kody Lancaster was a dangerous customer in the hosts' backline.
Hastings 31 Tamatea 24
Tamatea coach Matt Marsh was lamenting his team's poor start after trailing 24-5 at halftime during this Bill Mathewson Park loss.
"When we got the ball in the second half we finished well and looked dangerous. It was good to get two bonus points but that poor start and poor discipline let us down," Marsh explained.
Hooker Jacob Devery was again inspirational in the Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports pack. Lock Ben Parsons was also accurate with his roles and centre Ausage Fomai, who scored two tries, was lethal in the visitors' backline.
Winger Jimi Harris, who scored two tries, was Tamatea's player of the match. His backline received quality distribution from Hawks basketballer Mataeus Marsh who played his first game of the season at first five-eighth.
Tighthead prop Mason Kean provided plenty of grunt to the host pack.
Havelock North 61 MAC 0
Regular semifinalists Progressive Meats Havelock North kept their faint hopes of a top-four finish alive with this Anderson Park drubbing.
Playing at No 8, regular lock Tyler Symon Burke produced a player-of-the-match display for the villagers. Lock Shane Cusack was another to shine with his workrate in the winning pack.
Winger Tom Foley made the most of his quality service from consistent centre Teihana Brown and first five-eighth Ethan Bradey succeeded with eight of his nine conversion attempts.
MAC used six players from their development team in what was second five-eighth Vai Kereti's 50th appearance for the side. Lock Clinton Vaiusu and flanker Matini Atapana were busy MAC forwards and midfielder Kendall Gemmell was tireless on defence in the losing backline.
