All of the Tech backs deserve praise for their improved defensive work. Better organisation and identification of space on attack has to be their next area to work on.
Had Havelock halfback Isaac Paewai not lost the ball forward when placing the ball for a try, the villagers could have been toasting another win. Paewai joined hooker Matt Phillips, prop Emmanuel Maui and flanker Liam Murphy as the visitors' best.
"We knew we had to soak up a lot of emotion from Tech and we did that. That was the type of game we like ... particularly looking ahead to our club day match against leaders NOBM next week," Havelock manager Conrad Waitoa said.
NOBM 38 Tamatea 18HBI Insurance Brokers Napier Old Boys Marist manager Greig Lindsay was heaping kudos on winless Tamatea after this Bill Mathewson Park win.
"Tamatea took it to us and led 15-0 at halftime. We had some lucky breaks in the second half and the final score does not reflect the game," Lindsay said.
"It was was up there in terms of our best displays of the season but when NOBM lifted the tempo in the second half we lacked the necessary tactical appreciation to compete," Tamatea coach Adam McDonald said.
Former Magpies second five-eighth Sam Giddens, tighthead prop Mike King and openside flanker Chris Johnston all made Lindsay's MVP list.
Loosies Henare Harris and Hamiora Rowlands, lock Ivan Bellamy and fullback Bayden Barber were all constructive for Tamatea.
MAC 41 Taradale 10Former Samoa Sevens rep Tom Iosefo grabbed a hat-trick for MAC in this Flaxmere Park walloping of the defending champions.
MAC manager Narley Tuliau said while Iosefo finished well, the most pleasing aspect of the win was the contribution of four 18-year-olds in the starting XV including first five-eighth Harris Solomon who kicked three conversions and joined halfback Colin Hokianga and No8 Api Sione as the best of the hosts.
"We were a bit flat but MAC played well. While we drew the second half 7-all the damage was done in the first half," Taradale manager Paul Atkins said.
Hawke's Bay Sevens rep Sisa Vosaki and hooker Ellery Tareha had high workrates in the visiting pack. Regular outside back Uta Tupuola again functioned well at first five-eighth in the Carters Frame and Truss Taradale backline.
Clive 44 Central 33Substitute midfielder Duff Penitito celebrated his premier debut with a try for K9 Petfoods Clive in this victory at Waipukurau.
A younger brother of 2015 Magpies loosie Joseph Penitito, he was promoted from the club's colts team for the match and relished the occasion. First five-eighth Tiaan Falcon and hooker Jesse Tuhua were impressive for the visitors.
Northfuels Central openside flanker George McPherson can be proud of the way he functioned against former Maori All Black Karl Lowe in the tussle for the loose ball. Winger Tomo Fogarty and prop Andrew Martin also shone for the hosts.
Pirate 42 Hastings 10This winning margin for Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Tamatea Park surprised many pundits.
"I'm still trying to pinpoint the problem ... we just didn't turn up in the second half and lacked a bit of tactical nous," Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports coach Aaron Bartlett said.
Second five-eighth Hayden Hann produced another polished display in the Pirate backline. Loosehead prop Johnny Morrison, his son and tighthead prop Sean Morrison, openside flanker Pouvi Fatialofa and No8 Aaron McPhee provided plenty of grunt to the winning pack.
Openside flanker Jack Crasborn and Magpies prop Jason Long were tireless workers in the losing pack and second five-eighth Neria Fomai made the most of his limited opportunities in the Hastings backline.
