Flanker Ben Carpenter and second five-eighth Cole Eru were others to make Large's MVP list, which could easily have been filled by the entire squad.
Clive coach Blair Cross praised Central's gutsy defence and pointed out his players replicated it in the second half after trailing 20-0 at halftime. Fullback Peter Bassett, No8 Lucas Goodin and lock Ben Taylor were the best of the Clive players.
Hastings 30 Pirate 20
"It's not panic stations yet but we will probably need to win every game from now on to make the semifinals."
These were the words of Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports manager Charles Reid after this Elwood Park defeat. Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports exposed Pirate's lack of depth and capitalised on the visitors' inability to stick to the short game when it was not only working for them but the miserable weather conditions - particularly in the second half - also demanded it.
Hastings coach Aaron Bartlett was impressed with the team effort his troops produced: "We know we are top four material now and there is still a lot more we can do better."
Flanker Warwick Slingsby, lock Ben Parsons and prop Paulo Nu'u were inspirational in a cohesive host pack which dominated at set-piece time. Halfback Enoka Chung Ching, first five Ausage Fomai and fullback Star Timu, who succeeded with six of seven attempts at goal, were classy in the winning backline.
Loosies Hamish Willis and Pouvi Fatialofa, lock Marcus Donovan and front-rower Conrad Rieter were workaholics in the visiting pack.
NOBM 78 Tamatea 3
HBI Insurances Napier Old Boys Marist first five-eighth Johnny Lauano ran in four of his team's 12 tries in this Park Island romp.
Busy No8 Matt Gardner's wet-weather rugby smarts were other highlights as the hosts retained the Hawke's Bay Challenge Shield. Lock Tom Bywater joined Gardner as the best of the NOBM forwards.
Second five-eighth Sam Giddens slotted nine of his 12 attempts at goal. While the score doesn't reflect it, the injury-depleted Tamatea side battled until the final whistle.
Props Te Maangi Hamlin and Alex Kireka-Starnes and hooker Tane Cooper had some memorable patches against their more fancied opponents while No8 Hamiora Rowlands and lock Sheridan Kite were also prominent for Tamatea.
Havelock 23 Tech 15
Last year's runners-up Progressive Meats Havelock North took another step towards the semifinals with this Anderson Park win.
"We were relieved to come away with the win and denying Tech a bonus point could be crucial towards the business end. It wasn't in typical Havelock North style but this isn't a typical Havelock North season," the villagers' manager Layton Onekawa said afterwards.
Hooker Matt Phillips and prop Emmanuel Maui shone in set-piece play and powerful carries for the hosts. The Paewai twins, winger Jesse and second five-eighth Kalin Paewai operated well in the winning backline.
Prop Lani Latu and No8 Trent Boswell-Wakefield led the Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical forward pack by example. Winger Jordan Faia was thirsty for work in his 50th outing for the visitors.
Taradale 32 MAC 22
It got so dark the lights had to be turned on for the final 15 minutes of this Carters Arms Park match.
"The wet weather caught both teams out a bit," Taradale manager Paul Atkins said.
First five-eighth Greggor McNeish, who kicked 22 points, was again a key architect for Taradale. Captain and flanker Andrew Gardner and No8 Jacob Baker were full of authority in the winning pack.
Discipline lapses at crucial times let MAC down. Magpies prop Mason Kean had his first outing of the season with strong impact off the pine for the final 15 minutes. Fullback Willie Schuster impressed with his cover defence during his return from injury. Second five-eighth Lewis Marshall was enterprising.
Amiga Mikaele also deserves kudos for playing 80 minutes at blindside flanker after 80 at prop for the club's reserve grade team in the curtain-raiser.
