It may not have been a win but Central co-coach Rob Evans was still a happy man after yesterday's Nash Cup premier rugby fixture in Tikokino.
"Thirteen of us in the Central team went to Smedley Station so it was awesome to bring the game out here to Mathews Park. It was an opportunity for us to show the Smedley boys what they can aspire to if they can secure jobs in the region and want to stay in the region," Evans said after Northfuels Central's 24-10 third-round loss to Carters Frame and Truss Taradale.
Smedley Station is where school leavers train for agriculture jobs and many play for the Onga Tiko Colts who played in yesterday's curtainraiser. Taradale co-coach Blair Cross was thrilled his side could support the occasion.
He was just as delighted with his team's second-half comeback after they trailed 10-0 at halftime. Centre Nick Biss produced a player-of-the-match effort for the visitors. Biss combined well with Billy Ropiha in the midfield.
Flanker Tom Stanley and lock Scott Wielinga were prominent in the winning pack.