The Green Machine were missing several key players in captain Chris Johnston and fellow loosie Hannan Brighouse. But head coach Craig Gowler didn't want to use this as an excuse.
"Taradale wanted it more. But at the same time we got a tough time from the officials."
Magpies training squad member Matt Gardner produced a powerful display at No 8 for the visitors before collecting a season-ending injury. Blindside flanker Sean Skeet was a workaholic again while Ellery Wilson operated well in both the halfback and first five-eighth positions.
Hastings 45 Havelock North 10
Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports prop Paulo Nu'u is back to his blockbusting best.
After playing 60 minutes in the curtainraiser Nu'u produced a player-of-the-match display during his 54 minutes of action in this Elwood Park drubbing of Hastings' likely semifinal opponents.
Fellow frontrower Jason Long and busy blindside flanker Jardine Chung Ching also added plenty of grunt to the dominant and cohesive host pack.
Halfback Folau Fakatava was again classy and second five-eighth Ausage Fomai and centre Timo Vaiusu ruled the midfield. Although Progressive Meats Havelock North were missing several key players they should still have offered more resistance.
Experienced No 8 Adam Bradey had a high defensive workrate while captain and lock Phil McRoberts and prop Sam Matson had memorable moments in the villagers pack. Outside back Mikey Vuicakau was dangerous with his limited opportunities.
Tamatea 29 Pirate 26
Jarks Tamatea pou tikanga Don Hutana heaped kudos on his entire squad after this "overdue win" at Tamatea Park.
It was Tamatea's first win in 10 games and they benefited from the return from injury of hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes. Captain and tighthead prop Mason Kean again led his troops by example and winger Jarome Marekura was a lethal attacking weapon.
Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports manager Charles Reid said poor options proved to be his side's downfall. Fullback Ted Symes, a cousin of Kianu, was the best of the Pirate backs while lock Ormond Heather and tighthead prop Pouri Rakete-Stones were an industrious pair in the Pirate pack.
Central 45 Tech 34
Northfuels Central gained revenge for an 87-0 loss during the Nash Cup comp with this victory at Waipukurau's Central Park.
Flanker Jason Cutbush earned player-of-the-match honours for the hosts with a huge defensive workrate and try. Veteran No 8 Warwick Slingsby and 19-year-old openside flanker Trei Nepe-Apatu combined well with Cutbush.
While Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical displayed improvement on the previous week's 69-5 loss to Taradale they were unable to give hooker Matt Meyers a winning 100th appearance. Locks James Hughes and Bailey Galbraith impressed with their never-say-die approach in the visiting pack.
Clive 60 MAC 36
K9 Petfoods Clive bounced back from their previous week's 84-12 loss to NOBM in style with this Farndon Park win.
"We had to so we could stay in the fight for the fourth semifinal spot," Clive head coach Vaine Maui said.
Tighthead prop Kereama Peni was again inspirational in the riversiders' engine room. Fullback JJ Taulagi, in his second appearance since transferring from the Texans, and first five-eighth Tianua Poto were the pick of the Clive backs.
Two sinbinnings proved costly for MAC. Clive scored three tries while MAC lock Larry Olive and winger Falenui Iosi were in the sinbin together. New No 8 Solomone Funaki was again the kingpin for the visitors with 22 carries. He often lacked the necessary support.
Halfback Johnny Ika and first five-eighth Tom Iosefo were a classy pair in the visiting backline where Iosi and fellow winger Filimoni Asolua were full of enterprise.
