Taihape centre Cyrus Paringatai looks to get his pass around the Pirates defence at Spriggens Park on Saturday.
Black Bull Liquor Pirates made a big statement in Tasman Tanning Premier after coming from behind to beat fellow undefeated team Wrightson/Balance Taihape 33-24 at Spriggens Park on Saturday.
Now with three wins on the trot, with a couple more import players expected to arrive this week, Pirates are firmly
looking to re-establish themselves on top of the pecking order after the disappointments of 2016.
Taihape, on paper, had a very settled backline and most of their standout forwards from last year, although notably outside back Luke Whale was being tried as a flanker, but after leading 10-3 at the break, they were outscored 30-14 in the second stanza.
Back at Taihape's shared home of Memorial Park, Utiku Old Boys challenged Waverley Harvesting Border for the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield, with the visitors getting up 48-15 in a typically scrappy match.
Border had a couple of frowns with fullback Nick Harding tweaking his old hamstring injury, but put on 31 points in the second stanza.
