Rugby: Herculean Tech effort in defence saluted

Scott Mogford.

Napier Technical coach Chris Halas was quick to toast his team's improvement after they won Hawke's Bay's Jack Swain Cup premier reserve grade rugby final on Saturday.

"There has been big improvement from last year when we were beaten semifinalists. The bulk of this team formed our Tech colts side three years ago and we've just beaten the defending champions in this grade," Halas said after his team's 10-3 win against Napier Old Boys Marist at Whitmore Park.

"It was a top team effort and our defence was massive," Halas added.

First five-eighth Mark Te Whaiti and blindside flanker Honai Hunt scored Tech's tries. Te Whaiti, fullback Scott Mogford and flanker Kyle Huata featured on Halas' list of heroes.

First five-eighth Adam Chapman kicked a penalty for NOBM. The visitors' set piece play was dominant at times and loosie Jesse Drinkrow was the pick of the NOBM players.

Lock Dusky Pineaha's 63rd minute try after some superb pick-and-go work from his fellow forwards secured Clive a 14-10 win over Napier Old Boys Marist in the Pat Ryan Memorial Trophy Hawke's Bay's colts final at Napier's McLean Park on Saturday. As the score suggests, it was a nailbiter and many spectators who braved the atrocious weather conditions felt Clive's 6-0 lead at halftime after playing with a strong wind at their backs may not have been enough.

However, their scrambling defence functioned well during the final quarter. Captain and first five-eighth Scott Brocklehurst directed the winners well and his three successes from five attempts at goal were admirable considering the conditions.

Lock Shayden King was inspirational in the winning pack. NOBM's second five-eighth Israel Gill was always a threat on attack and sparked his team's second-half comeback with his 42nd-minute try.

Prop Loulani Faieva, who scored his team's second try in the 50th minute, had a powerful second half. Captain and No8 Regan Leahy and flanker Ricky Hayes were tireless workers in the NOBM pack.