"We made a poor start and allowed Hastings to lead 27-0 at halftime but we finished strong with three tries during the final quarter," Central coach Exham Wichman said.
-Pirate 20 NOBM 18
Playing in their respective former school's 1st XV socks almost gave Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist players the edge in this Park Island encounter.
But they registered their third consecutive loss when Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports first five-eighth David Neilson succeeded with a late 50 metre penalty to give his team the win and the Leadbetter-Macdonald Cup after an entertaining topsy-turvy battle.
Neilson and man-of-the-match, halfback Jonathan Ruru, again combined well in a backline where centre Hayden Hann shone with his defensive work.
Lock Matt Brown and substitutes, prop Kelsey Miller and lock-flanker Lloyd Foote, were prominent in the winning pack. Winger Dan Walker and Ellery Wilson, who had stints at halfback and pivot, were classy in the NOBM backline and No 8 Joseph Penitito and flanker Pouvi Fatialofa again had massive work rates in the host pack.
"We had opportunities to win but couldn't finish them off. Pirates made the most of their chances," NOBM manager Mike Smith said.
-Clive 22 Tamatea 15
The conceding of a penalty try ruined Tamatea's hopes of recording their first win in 38 games according to coach Tane Cooper.
"That penalty try was awarded at the start of the second half but at the final whistle it was the difference. We were deep in Clive's 22 for the final two minutes but didn't capitalise," Cooper said after the Farndon Park clash.
"The last quarter was really close but we had taken Tamatea out of the game with our pick and go game earlier," K9 Petfoods Clive coach Andy Green said.
Loosehead prop Nathan Bruce and openside flanker Rocky Pohatu provided plenty of grunt in the winning pack and second five-eighth Heperi Harrison was the best of the Clive backs. Cooper said all of his players deserve praise for the competitive display but first five-eighth Ash Robinson, openside flanker Tiwai Tomoana and second five-eighth Wayne Nikora were the standouts.
-Havelock 54 MAC 12
Defending champions Progressive Meats Havelock North again proved how hard they are going to be to dethrone with this Anderson Park walloping.
Fullback Shannan Chase used his superior pace and superb support play skills to run in three tries. Prop Emanuel Maui, lock Luke Ottley and former MAC No 8 Harlan Solomon all functioned well in the cohesive host pack.
MAC were far too individualistic and shambolic. Considering they had beaten Havelock 21-18 in the Nash Cup round more was expected.
They have too much talent to be sitting seventh on the points table. None of the MAC players would have been proud of their efforts.
-Tech 16 Taradale 10
Carters Frame and Truss Taradale prop Joe Simeon and halfback Karl Hewitt missed out on winning 50ths with this Whitmore Park defeat.
"We were unlucky to not have a first half try awarded when the ref and his assistants were unable to sight the ball over the line," Taradale manager Paul Atkins said.
His Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical counterpart Cyril Whitburn was heaping kudos on all of his forwards. Openside flanker Trent Boswell-Wakefield and props Tolu Fahamokioa and Mark Braidwood led by example.
Centre Ted Walters was full of authority in the Tech backline. Simeon and blindside flanker Jaaron Fritz were the pick of the Taradale forwards while Uta Tupuola was gutsy in both the wing and fullback positions..
