"I only took up rugby because I'm a mate of one of Craig's sons and he dragged me along to play," Lee said, pointing to jubilant head coach Craig Gowler.
Fullback David Benson - who displayed plenty of gas on his way to two tries and in setting up Lee's - and openside flanker Chris Johnston were prominent in NOBM's cohesive team effort. Gowler praised Taradale's effort and said the score didn't reflect their contribution.
Taradale dominated most of the second quarter but superb NOBM defence kept them tryless. Captain and lock Andrew Gardner, fullback Uta Tupuola, prop Reese Aranui and flanker Jacob Baker were among the visitors' best.
At the start of the match Gowler said he wouldn't worry about what was happening in the MAC match.
"Our supporters kept coming off the grandstand and telling us the MAC score. That just made matters worse ... but we're pretty happy now," Gowler added.
MAC 31 Tech 15MAC captain and lock Everard Reid was red-carded for retaliation in this Whitmore Park clash, his 100th appearance for the team.
His first-five- Harris Solomon was also sent off in what proved a physical encounter, which had an early all-in brawl. Hooker Desmond Manuao produced a player-of-the-match effort for the visitors. Fullback Tom Iosefo, who scored three tries, and midfield back Vai Kereti went close to this honour.
Tech Group of Companies Magpies props Mark Braidwood and Tolu Fahamokioa and No8 Elijah Martin were again powerful figures at the coalface.
Pirate 35 Central 26Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports flanker Karl Mapp celebrated his 50th appearance with a try in this entertaining Park Island tussle.
Hooker Gerome Naera and flanker Ryan Gardiner had high workrates in the host pack. Fullback Kris Canterbury and winger Matt Garland were a dangerous pair in the Pirate backline.
Northfuels Central again competed well and coach Exham Wichman agreed they could have won. Prop Ratu Apolosi and flanker Javan Napolotata were full of authority in the Central pack and second-five Lee Stewart was classy in the visiting backline.
Clive 23 Havelock North 7K9 Petfoods Clive finished third equal courtesy of this Anderson Park victory.
Aussie No8 Lucas Goodin and lock Josh Eden-Whaitiri were inspirational in the Clive engine room. Halfback Heperi Harrison had his best game of the season in the winning backline.
Progressive Meats Havelock North manager Layton Onekawa said the villagers lacked the necessary urgency in the first 10 minutes. They were also missing eight first-string players as they took the opportunity to give some of their youngsters game time so they will be experienced at this level if called upon in the second round.
Halfback Taylor Greville, captain and lock Phil McRoberts and first five-eighth Dan Snee all made Onekawa's MVP list.
Hastings 44 Tamatea 23Tamatea coach Adam McDonald had every right to be rapt with the competitiveness of his troops in this Elwood Park loss.
"It was only during the last 10 minutes that the score blew out," McDonald said.
His son and namesake who played at lock led by example. Winger Ash Robinson and centre Jimmy Harris were the pick of Tamatea backs.
Hurricanes lock Geoff Cridge produced what Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports coach Aaron Bartlett described as a "beast-like" performance at No8 for the hosts. Flanker Shane McGrail was another to impress in the Hastings pack.
Star Timu who had stints at centre and fullback and second-five Ausage Fomai combined well in the backline.
