The Central Hawke's Bay team re-established to bring life back to sub-union rugby is finding a place in the hearts of Heartland Championship first-class rugby unions with a dream it might one day be locking horns with it in competition.
It was highlighted in Masterton on Friday night when the CHB sub-union side opened a four-match 2022 schedule with the first Stu Smith Memorial match against Heartland side and former NPC first-division union Wairarapa Bush.
Next Saturday in Foxton, Central Hawke's Bay provides Horowhenua Kapiti with its last shakedown before the Heartland championship starts the following weekend.
Chosen from six CHB clubs and players not selected for higher honours such as other Hawke's Bay representative sides, including three Onga-Tiko Colts players, and trying to adapt to playing on an artificial turf, the side proved competitive and was beaten 38-8.
The home side scored first in the opening three minutes. Centre Tate Harte kicked a penalty for CHB's only points by halftime, at which Wairarapa Bush led 19-3. Onga-Tiko player Logan Blackburn scored the side's only try near fulltime, off the bench at fullback.