"I know I've only been at the Clive club for two years but Porky was a great guy who loved the Clive premiers," Poto said.
The collective attitude of the entire Clive squad was admirable as they scored their first win against Hastings in 10 years. Aussie No8 Lucas Goodin, a flatmate of Poto's, and blindside flanker Rocky Pohatu were a powerful pair in the cohesive host pack.
Magpies centre and New Zealand under-20 rep Jonah Lowe was classy and Clive halfback Dan Montaperto defended well around the fringes. Hastings captain and openside flanker Ben Hamelink, who scored 19 points during a yo-yo test earlier in the week a day after returning from the national surf lifesaving championships, had a huge workrate for the visitors.
However he often lacked the necessary support and this made it easy for the Clive defenders to isolate him. Hastings halfback Enoka Chung Ching deserved his two tries.
Taradale 22 Havelock 17
Defending champions Taradale opened their campaign with a classic game-of-two-halves victory against Progressive Meats Havelock North at Carters Arms Park.
"We led 19-0 at halftime but allowed the villagers to come back in the second half. Our pack went really well in the first half and it was a good way for Speedway to celebrate his 50th game for us," Taradale manager Paul Atkins said, referring to prop Mike McLachlan.
Openside flanker Kaleb Whakataka celebrated his debut for the hosts with a player-of-the-match display. Prop Joe Simeon and second five-eighth Zane Hohepa were others to make Atkins MVP list.
"We were a bit rusty in the first half and didn't play to our potential. Murdoch [coach Paewai] put a few things in place at halftime and we came back well," manager Layton Onekawa said.
Captain and lock Phil McRoberts led the Havelock pack by example. Fullback Chaz Solomon and second five-eighth Kalin Paewai were the best of the visitors' backs.
Experienced winger Brendon Solomon marked his return to the villagers with two tries.
Pirate 13 Tamatea 8
Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports retained the Challenge Shield with this scrappy win at Tamatea Park.
Fullback Ted Symes was full of authority for the Pirate side. New Zealand under-20s prop Pouri Rakete-Stones scored in his premier debut and flanker Gerome Naera was tireless.
Pirate captain and first five-eighth David Neilson missed three of his six attempts at goal, which kept Tamatea in the hunt.
New Tamatea coach Adam McDonald had every right to be impressed with the competitive display from his troops, who led 8-6 at halftime. Lock Tama Hutana and hooker Te Maangai Hamlin were prominent at the coalface while fullback Maka Harris and halfback Taniera Miratana were lively Tamatea backs.
Tech 26 Central 25
A last-minute penalty from inside back Dylan Ramsay gave Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical this victory at Waipukurau's Central Park.
Central led 15-13 at halftime and substitute halfback Scott Mogford sparked the Tech comeback with a try. Mogford was the best of the visitors, closely followed by No8 Levi Guildford and Ramsay.
Busy No8 Ben Carpenter and openside flanker George MacPherson were inspirational in the Central pack. Winger Ethan Prichard was also outstanding for the hosts before he was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital with a neck injury.
NOBM 33 MAC 29
Hawke's Bay Insurances Napier Old Boys Marist coach Craig Gowler heaped kudos on MAC after this close win at Flaxmere's Ron Giorgi Park.
"I take my hat off to MAC because we were up 33-8 before they fought their way back," Gowler said before singling out lock Tom Bywater, No8 Matt Gardner and winger-halfback Johnny Lauano as his team's best.
Powerful No8 Ramiha Smiler had a memorable debut in the MAC pack. New Zealand under-20s prop Mason Kean provided plenty of grunt while experienced halfback-first five-eighth Colin Hokianga added his vast experience.
"We didn't stick to our structures in the first half but I was happy with our comeback," new MAC head coach Len Huia remarked.
