Hastings Rugby and Sports' Neria Fomai makes a copybook tackle against Pirates during HRS's 44-5 victory. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hastings Rugby and Sports' Neria Fomai makes a copybook tackle against Pirates during HRS's 44-5 victory. Photo / Paul Taylor
Prop Jason Long won't forget his record-equalling 138th match for Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports in a hurry.
The HRS and Magpies prop marked the occasion by scoring a try after five minutes, at Elwood Park against a spirited Tanalised Napier Pirates side.
The 44-5 victory puts HRS third on the Maddison Trophy premier points table, behind first equal Taradale and Progressive Meats Havelock North, who both extended their tally to three victories from three matches on Saturday.
In taking the field, Long - who is also the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union's commercial manager and an NZ stockcar champion - equalled his manager James Rosenberg's record of 138 appearances for the amalgamated club.
HRS continued to dominate territory for long periods during the first half of Saturday's match.
The big Hastings forward pack worked well as a unit. Young loose forward Emil Crichton carried the ball hard and got through a tonne of work, which resulted in him joining the score sheet.
In contrast, when Pirates got opportunities they were guilty of kicking away possession or errors, which denied them the chance to build pressure.
Hastings ended the first half up 29-0 on the back of great team interplay, a strong scrum and the ability to capitalise on opportunities.
Whatever Pirate coaches Andy Lord and Spencer Bethell said at the halftime break did the trick, with their team chancing their arm, treasuring possession and playing with more endeavour in the second spell.
On attack, halfback Liam Batt drove his pack forward well, which enabled Hurricanes prop Pouri Rakete-Stones to make multiple strong carries, supported well by midfield back Tyrone Edwards.
The HRS defence was strong and directed well by busy halfback Connor McLeod, with forwards putting in big shifts and the addition of bench members helping their cause. Pirate finally crossed the try line with Ben Lewis scoring, but they could not stop HRS accumulating points.
It was a strong performance that put a smile on coach Andrew Hui's face following the final whistle.
Hui was happy with his team's showing considering several of their regulars were unavailable for this fixture.
"We had a focus to start well and are pretty pleased with the first half. We lost a bit of structure in the second half but defended well and are happy holding Pirates to the solitary try."
He applauded lock Jono Makris, who on his return to premier rugby got through a heap of work. Usual Magpies wing Mason Emerson performed well playing in the midfield but Hui signalled Crichton as their best, taking on the unfamiliar role of openside.
The coach was thrilled at Crichton's performance in his first season out of Hastings Boys' High School.
Napier Pirate's Kyle Cornelius goes to ground in a tackle again Hastings at Elwood Park. Photo / Paul Taylor
Pirates coach Andy Lord was frustrated with the slow start which meant Pirate were always going to have a hard job getting back into the game.
"HRS came out more hungry, got a roll on and we struggled to adapt".
Lord thought Liam Batt played very well, showing versatility by moving to first five from his customary spot at halfback, Rakete-Stones never gave up and demonstrated why he is a Super Rugby representative, while skipper Damien Scott and Tipene Lord - coming off the bench - added enthusiasm and never stopped trying.
HRS 44 (Jason Long try; Jacob Devery try; Emil Crichton 2 tries; Jayden Rihia try; Jordan Thompson try; Neria Fomai try; Joe Taafi try; Connor McLeod 2 con) Pirate 5 (Ben Lewis try)
At Central Park, unbeaten Taradale were given a mighty fright by plucky Northfuels Central Rugby & Sports. playing in front of a good home crowd - which included All Black Brodie Retallick - Central applied plenty of pressure on the significantly larger and more physical Taradale side, only to run out of gas in the last quarter for a 21-54 loss.
Coach David Lochore was "proud of the effort of all the squad who never stop trying" but lamented his side's inability to capitalise on point-scoring situations.
For Central, powerful No 8 Finau Nimatasau once again led the way in both attack and defence with some huge carries, while first five James Logan continued to impress as a player of promise.
Others to make manager Ian Large's MVP list included young flanker and ex Napier Boys' High captain Frank Lochore, who continues to grow with each game, and midfielder Zac Simpson who showed plenty of intent.
Taradale coach Boyd Carswell conceded that the "first half was messy and Central applied plenty of pressure which we failed to respond to''.
In the second half "direct running and a dominant set piece got us over the gain line, which allowed our backs to show how good they can be".
Jacob Ward had a huge game marking Magpies prop Joel Hint in what was his first game as a loosehead prop, while Caleb Makene looked assured at first five in scoring a hat-trick.
Josh Eden-Whatiri and experienced midfielder Nathan Ramsey were others to shine for the 'Dale.
Taradale manager Tim Combs was quick to praise flanker-turned-winger Majella Tufaga as their player of the match, Tufaga proving lethal on attack, scoring a great individual try and setting up a number of others while also showing great presence on defence.
Enviro Clean and Restoration MAC notched up their first win of the season after holding on against a fast-finishing Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical.
MAC manager Anthony Morley was elated with their first win after two close losses, saying "the team has taken a couple of matches to gel, but have now built the necessary confidence to express ourselves and play the attractive and open, exciting style that MAC have become renowned for".
"This gives us great confidence heading into a huge challenge against HRS next week."
Morley singled out MAC's inspirational captain Willy Benson for praise, while others to perform well were halfback Johnny Ika and classy Magpie first five Lincoln McClutchie.
For Napier Tech, manager Cyril Whitburn named inspirational ex Magpie Trent Boswell-Wakefield as their best, while another ex-Magpie, Penikolo Latu, scored three tries in the second half to put the Texans within reach.
"We have a huge injury count with another three today, but all the players are giving 100 per cent and you cannot fault their efforts."
MAC 32 (John Ika try; Tom Iosefo try; Roger Paewai try; Paul Bickle try; Lincoln McClutchie 3 con 2 pen) NTOB 31 (Penikolo Latu 3 tries; Xavier McCorkindale try; Martin Watson 3 con)
Havelock North beat Tamatea 73-20 at Bill Matheson Park, which saw Blues loose forward Tony Lamborn turn out for the Villagers. For the Havelock North Magpies, wider training squad midfielder Anzelo Tuitavuki crossed for a couple of tries while long-serving winger Mikey Vuicakau also grabbed a double.
Tamatea never gave up and midfielders Jordan Harmer and Dennon Robinson and No 8 Ivan Bellamy were players to stand out.
Havelock North 73 (Matthew Hill try; Anzelo Tuitavuki 2 tries; Ben Morgan try; Kalin Paewai try; Mikey Vuicakau 2 tries; Tony Lamborn try; Howard Lole try; Matthew Phillips try; William McGoon try; Matthew Hill 9 con) Tamatea 20 (Jordan Harmer 2 tries, Ash Robinson 2 con, 2 pen)
A 14-man WIT Trust NOBM withstood a huge onslaught from Andrew Clark Tremains Clive to hold on for a thrilling 36-33 win.
After scoring in injury time the previous weekend, NOBM are making a habit of leaving it late to secure victory and it became tougher when flanker Povi Fatialofa was sent off for his second head-high offence.
However, an excellent defensive shift led by inspirational captain Chris Johnson kept Clive out during a nail-biting final 10 minutes. Others to play well for the victors were lock Alec Williams and young front rower Lee Moleli.
For Clive, the Hurricanes pair of lock Isaia Walker-Leawere and centre Jonah Lowe were excellent, while ex St John's College midfielder Duff Penitito scored two tries to keep the riversiders in touch.
