“I’m extremely proud of our guys; it was unbelievable,” he said. “They played with intensity, passion and commitment, and it was a great experience for our rugby community to see the sky blue jerseys in Central Hawke’s Bay and to feel the mana of the Ngāti Porou East Coast haka.
“I hope it’s the beginning of a new friendship between our unions.”
The hosts opened the scoring with a penalty goal to fullback Braydon Hardwidge.
The Coast claimed the first try in the sides’ historic meeting through captain and halfback Sam Parkes.
CHB, under pressure in their own 22, were awarded a penalty by referee Richard Baines and put boot to ball on the left side of the ground.
But the kick for the line missed touch, and Coast fullback Kris Palmer began a counter-attack that ended with Parkes dotting down in the far corner. His try was unconverted and NPEC led 5-3.
CHB openside flanker Ryan Pauling put his crew back in front with a gem of a try.
From a scrum set close to halfway, they went left and, over six phases of play, trudged in the mud to the visitors’ 22.
At the last breakdown in the sequence, halfback Tom Beachem, first-five Tony Mihaere and second-five Jimmy Downes saw an opportunity on the short side. Quick hands and flair resulted in the brawny Pauling going over to score.
No conversion followed — 8-5 to CHB.
The Coast’s second try was the fruit of an attacking scrum that wheeled almost 90 degrees. It was set 15 metres from the CHB goal-line, just to the left of the posts.
Beachem shadowed Parkes, the ball went loose and Kaupoi No.1106 Hone Haerewa was on hand to score. Big first-five Terangi Fraser converted for 12-8 to the visitors.
CHB scored the first five-pointer of the second half from a strong lineout drive on the left side.
Hooker Travis Taylor scored seven metres from the corner, and the home team were 13-12 ahead.
His try was not converted.
Reserve right wing Jeri Kavekai scored the third CHB try — not converted — for 18-12.
The last try of the day went to NPEC on fulltime.
Having won their own ball at a five-metre attacking scrum to the right of the posts, NPEC went left and forward over six phases.
The try-scorer was tighthead prop Perrin Manuel, who went low and hard to score.
No conversion followed.
CHB prevailed in what for the Coast was a good hit-out, and for the hosts, a great occasion.
No.8 Warwick Slingsby was a worthy recipient of the Central Hawke’s Bay MVP (most valuable player) award, while for the Sky Blues, centre Pamona Samupo got the nod.
The Coast’s next and last warm-up game before the start of the Heartland Championship is at Te Kura Mana Māori o Whangaparaoa, Cape Runaway, this Saturday. They play Eastern Bay of Plenty.
The NPEC women face EBOP women in the curtain-raiser at 12.30pm.
