"We matched them at set piece time but, once they got the ball wide, we were in trouble. We don't have the necessary depth in outside backs ... but our players tackled their hearts out."
Captain and No8 Sam Henderson was the best of the Central players. Blindside flanker Bruno King also operated well in the host pack.
Halfback Angus Kilmister and second five-eighth Joevahn Baker were the pick of the Central backs.
Napier vice-captain Kurtis Weeks captured player-of-the-match honours after his side's 50-3 victory against Scanpower Dannevirke. Weeks, one of 12 members of the Napier Old Boys Marist 12th grade team in the Napier side, had productive stints in the second five-eighth and fullback positions.
First five-eighth Kegan Christian-Goss and second five-eighth Leo Thompson combined well in the Napier backline. Captain and hooker Tyrone Thompson and blindside flanker Patrick Teddy made valuable contributions to the Napier pack.
Blindside flanker Maehe Body-Marsh was outstanding for Dannevirke.
Captain and hooker Damaruss Hokianga-Heather, a third year Ross Shield player, was an inspirational figure in IMS Payroll Hastings West's 66-0 thrashing of Affco Wairoa. Lock Jack Webster and No8 Reuben Saunders also made some strong carries.
Fullback Gideon Kautai used his speed well and was the player-of-the-match.
First five-eighth Fred Gibson impressed with his ability to sniff out space.
Second five-eighth Pareiha Hubbard and blindside flanker Richmond Ereatara were the best of the Wairoa players.
Scorers:
Hastings East 42 (Jakob Bargh 4, Sam Walton-Sexton, Ethan Snow-Smith, Ethan Dorward tries; Ngatai McClutchie 2 cons, pen), Central 3 (Jonty Andersen pen). HT: 29-0.
Napier 50 (Tyrone Thompson 2, Te Kahika Thompson 2, Patrick Teddy, Leo Thompson, Taneilu Ta'a, Reece Akuhata tries; Keegan Christian-Goss 5 cons), Dannevirke 3 (Piritia McGuire pen). HT: 31-3.
Hastings West 66 (Tristin Hohipa 2, Manaia Heperi, Chas Gilles, Jon Karlson, Reuben Saunders, Fred Gibson, Andrew Rennie, Gideon Kautai, Tom, Charteris tries; Gibson 6, Kautai 2 cons), Wairoa 0. HT: 33-0.
Points: Hastings West 2, Napier 2, Hastings East 2, Central 0, Dannev.0, Wairoa 0.