Captain Rhys Marshall cherished his Hawke's Bay under-20s rugby side's history-making win in New Plymouth on Saturday slightly more than his teammates.
Hawke's Bay's 51-19 win against Taranaki in the curtain raiser to the Ranfurly Shield fixture at Yarrow Stadium was the first time a side had completed an unbeaten run in round robin play in the Hurricanes competition. For New Zealand under-20s hooker and 2010 New Plymouth Boys' High School First 15 captain, Marshall, it was the first time he had played for a Hawke's Bay team against Taranaki on Naki soil.
"There was plenty of niggle out there as I expected against a team containing so many of my old teammates. It was a good feeling to beat them ... the boys dug deep and managed to put some phases together to secure the win," Marshall, a Smedley Station farming cadet, said.
What made it even sweeter was the fact his parents including former Taranaki loose forward Ian Marshall were cheering for the Bay. "If we have another positive week next week we will have a good chance come final time," Marshall added referring to his team's final against Wellington at Palmerston North this Saturday.
Marshall was again inspirational in the Bay pack where No8 Levi Guildford again shone with his powerful carries and huge defensive workrate. Hawke's Bay's back three of fullback Manihera Eden and winger Zane Crook and Shannan Chase were impressive at counter attack time.