He was the architect of the Texans' spectacular comeback from their 26-15 halftime deficit and finished the game with 29 points - three tries and four conversions and two penalties from eight attempts at goal.
"It was good to get the win. We knew Hastings would be tough on their club day and we knew how much they wanted to win for Tivaini [Fomai] who was playing his 100th game," Spooner-Neera said afterwards.
His team was guilty of not securing enough field position in the first half. During this period, Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports produced some superb support play with captain and openside flanker Ben Hamelink, hooker Fomai, spectacular Fijian lock Sanaila Waqa and winger Mason Emerson all prominent.
However, in the second half, the hosts let Spooner-Neera and Tech props Mark Braidwood and Tolu Fahamokioa have too much freedom. A lot of the sting went out of the Hastings effort when Fomai left the field with 12 minutes remaining.
Taradale 23 Havelock 19
Defending champions Carters Frame and Truss Taradale won the Cooper-O'Dwyer Cup and maintained their unbeaten run with this Anderson Park victory.
"It was a stop-start affair but we will take the win as we don't get too many out here," Taradale manager Paul Atkins said afterwards.
Fullback Manihera Eden, in his first outing for the team since returning from his stint in Ireland, first five-eighth Wade Woolley and loosehead prop Joe Simeon were all influential for the winners. Progressive Meats Havelock North manager Conrad Waitoa said turnovers and missed tackles proved costly for his troops but he was pleased with the manner in which they handled the physical nature of the clash.
Winger Mikey Vuicakau, who scored all three of the villagers' tries, first five-eighth J'ndre Liebenberg and second five-eighth Kalin Paewai all impressed in the hosts' backline. Busy No 8 Luke Ottley was the pick of the Havelock forwards.
MAC 43 Central 10
Yes it was opening weekend for the duck shooting season but Northfuels Central coach Exham Wichman pointed out this Flaxmere Park loss couldn't be blamed on that.
"MAC were just too good. If they can keep 15 players on the paddock and reduce their off-the-ball infringements they will be the team to beat at the business end of the Maddison Trophy competition," Wichman said, referring to the fact three MAC players were sinbinned during the game.
"Considering we played for 30 minutes with 14 players it was a good win for us," MAC coach Anthony Morley said.
Powerful No 8 Emile Fanene and loosehead prop Mason Kean had huge work rates in the host pack. It was Fanene's final outing before visiting family in Samoa but Morley said he will return for the Maddison Trophy comp. Halfback William Schuster and first five-eighth Tom Iosefo shone with their directional play for MAC.
Fullback Sam Miratana, lock Ben Bennett and No 8 Jason Cutbush led by example in Central's approach.
NOBM 51 Clive 15
K9 Petfoods Clive also had three players sinbinned as they lost this feature club-day clash at Farndon Park.
"I told the referee afterwards I was surprised our visitors didn't have players sinbinned as they were getting away with things our players were sinbinned for," Clive manager Andy Northe said.
Hawke's Bay Insurances Napier Old Boys Marist first five-eighth Ellery Wilson's option taking was classy. He received quality service from halfback Boris Bouhraoua. Blindside flanker Fergus McCool and No 8 Jessie Drinkrow were tireless in the winning pack.
Captain and hooker Jorian Tangaere and openside flanker Rocky Pohatu were the best of the Clive forwards. Fullback Sakopa Ofa had some memorable moments in the hosts' backline.
Pirate 51 Tamatea 12
Tamatea coach Tane Cooper was proud of the way his troops finished this Bill Mathewson Park encounter but the damage had been done in the first half.
Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports led 37-0 at halftime and in the second half lost some structure according to manager Charles Reid. Halfback Matt Murtha, hooker Gerome Naera and openside flanker Karl Huata all made Reid's MVP list.
Fullback Ash Robinson was the pick of the Tamatea players. Second five-eighth Henare Harris and halfback Wayne Nikora also operated well in the host backline.
