RUGBY - Ward adds to prop puzzle for Magpies

It's a given ... Super 14 stars Sona Taumalolo and Clint Newland will be the Hawke's Bay Magpies starting props barring injury and suspension this season.
But the competition is hot for the other two propping berths in the Kelt Capital Magpies Air New Zealand Cup squad.
For most of the Hawke's Bay club season Taradale's Jodi Allen and Napier Technical's Josh Keys, one of last season's incumbents, have been putting their hands up and in recent weeks so has Hastings Rugby and Sports' Whetu Barber.
And in Saturday's feature Tui Maddison Trophy second round clash Tremains Napier Old Boys Marist's Cam Ward, who had been nagged by injuries earlier this season, put his hand up big-time.
Propping against Keys, the former Otago B representative was prominent in a NOBM scrum which had the upperhand for most of the encounter which NOBM won 42-24 at Whitmore Park.
Ward, who left Napier Boys' High School in 1998, finished the game off with a 30-metre dash for his second try.
Spectators were impressed with Ward's pace.
However despite making huge progress with the assistance of Magpies fitness trainer Grant Dearns, Ward isn't counting his chickens as far as Magpies selection is concerned.
"I'm on the outside looking in and all of the incumbents are good players," said Ward.
He was quick to point out he is more than happy with the improvement displayed by the NOBM pack in recent weeks.
"In the first round things didn't go too well but we're now playing with a bit of attitude," added Ward who joined No 8 Michael Johnson and flanker Richard Gillespie as the best of the NOBM forwards.
Halfback Dane Shelford, second five-eighth Sam Giddens and fullback Mark Jackman all operated well in the winning backline. Flankers Hugh Reed and Ash Dixon were tireless workers for an Alexander Construction Napier Technical outfit which had a memorable first spell but disappointing second.
Another frontrower, Graham Hawkins, was inspirational in his 200th outing for defending champions Havelock North as they thrashed Contrax Technical Services Ltd Clive 62-7 at Anderson Park.
"He might have been quiet about his 200th during the week but Graham exploded from the first whistle," said Havelock co-coach Mike Warren.
Fellow veteran Eddie Coombs, Hawkins and Emmanuel Maui engineered a tighthead at the first scrum and this set the tone for the rest of the game. In front of his All Black-in- waiting brother Bryn Evans, Rhys Evans, had a strong game at lock.
"We call Rhys Bob which stands for brother of Bryn and this seems to fire him up," quipped Warren.
Second five-eighth Joe Snee, who scored two tries, and halfback Isaac Paewai were the hosts' best backs. Hooker Nathan Bruce, prop Brandon Campbell and utility Sam Ebbitt had memorable moments in the Clive pack, while first five-eighth David Nielsen was the pick of the visiting backs.
A last-minute dropped goal from fullback Greg Mullany gave Russell Roads Hastings Rugby and Sports a 13-12 win against Central at Waipukurau.
"We got out of jail. We were lucky and Central were unlucky," said Hastings coach Adam McDonald before singling out Barber, Mullany, flanker Hamish McLean and winger Dan Stemp as the best of his players.
Halfback Kilifi Fangupo, lock Gareth Fergusson, winger Jordan Brown and fullback Tom McIntyre all shone for Central.
Carters Frame and Truss Taradale ran in 19 tries during a 117-0 demolition job on MAC at Flaxmere's Ron Giorgi Park.
Winger Josh Mahoni, who scored four tries, was dangerous in a visiting backline well served by halfback Chris Eaton and first five-eighth Andrew Horrell.
Allen, fellow prop James Humphries, flanker Lennon Carrington and No 8 Karl Gemmell all impressed in a Mighty Maroons pack.
The Tamatea camp had every right to be proud of their improvement displayed in an 18-7 loss to Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Bill Mathewson Park, Hastings.
Loose forwards Hamiora Rowlands and Leon Kupa again had high workrates in the Tamatea pack, while winger Arepa Paranihi and centre Jason Robinson were constructive in the hosts' backline.
Locks Ash Johnson and Everard Reid, frontrower Johnny Morrison, No 8 Marcus Donovan and centre Alafou Mata'li were valuable contributors to the visitors' victory.