Tech’s forward pack again functioned well as a unit. Lock Ben Te Hau, a former back, flanker Liam Udy-Johns, who has returned from overseas, and prop Kianu Kereru-Symes were all prominent.
“Another week and we haven’t turned up,” Havelock North coach Exham Wichman lamented.
“Tech wanted it more and were very aggressive.”
Magpies prop Manahi Goulton made his debut for Havelock North and impressed with his core roles as well as his leadership. Flanker Carlo Isaac was the best of the visitors.
Midfielders Kalin and Jesse Paewai were the pick of the Havelock North backs.
Napier Old Boys’ Marist beat Hastings Rugby and Sports 29-16 in the clash of the unbeaten teams at Elwood Park. Hastings led 16-10 at halftime but for the second consecutive week the Green Machine’s impact from the bench proved too much for their opponents in the second half.
Flanker Will Tremain, halfback Kade Manuel and centre Kere Penitito all shone off the pine. Prop Tulitaluai Faleiva and lock Matthew Monaghan had memorable 50th appearances for NOBM.
Hastings coach Jason Long admitted his troops’ attack was poor in the second half when they allowed the visitors to score a couple of quick tries which contributed to the momentum swing.
Hooker Damarius Hokianga again impressed in the host pack. Prop Membrenz Tahu made the most of his first starting XV appearance while the mobile Louie Uregei had memorable shifts at prop and blindside flanker.
Winger John Lameko was the best of the Hastings backs.
Flanker Metu Manase grabbed a hat-trick as defending champions Taradale beat MAC 52-24 at Flaxmere Park. However, his brother and second five-eighth Meni Manase claimed player-of-the-match honours for the Mighty Maroons against his former club.
Tobias Single produced quality shifts at hooker and openside flanker for Taradale. Starting flanker Izaiah Craig had a polished debut while winger Joseph Jury-Senitu and substitute front rowers Noah Osborne and Kyan Ward were others to debut for the visitors.
While happy his troops stayed in the fight to secure a bonus point MAC coach Anthony Morley pointed out that the hosts lacked accuracy in key moments.
Prop Muli Tuanaki and locks Teokotai Reiri and Fraser Taurima-Heperi provided plenty of grunt in the MAC engine room. Substitute prop Amiga Mikaele made his 180th appearance for the hosts.
Halfback Bronson Hokianga was the pick of the MAC backs.
Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports gave substitute hooker Rocky Hoffman a memorable 50th appearance with their 87-0 drubbing of Bridge Pa at the Mitre 10 Sports Park in Hastings.
Pirate player-coach Sheridan Rangihuna said his team responded well in the wake of the previous week’s disappointing loss to NOBM.
Pirate winger Ricco Tran had a classy starting XV debut. Captain and No 8 Tiaki Fabish joined New Zealand Under-20 trialists, hooker Jericho Wharehinga and loosie Drew Berg-McLean as the best of the Pirate forwards.
Busy No 8 Hunter Nuku and halfback Zavier Dunn were a gutsy pair for Bridge Pa before the match was called off with 17 minutes remaining.
This season’s Nash Cup competition will be decided by each team playing seven round robin matches each. All eight teams will be eligible for the Maddison Trophy competition which will involve each team again playing seven round robin fixtures before the top four play semifinals and the respective winners qualify for the final.
Next week’s third round will be played on Thursday night to allow teams to have the Easter Weekend off. Unbeaten teams Taradale and Tech will clash at Taradale while other matches will see Bridge Pa host Hastings, Pirate host MAC and NOBM host Havelock North.
Scorers:
Napier Technical 53 (Malachi Osman (3), Ben Te Hau, Isimeli Vono, Liam Udy-Johns, Nik Patumaka, Tyrone Mauheni tries; Leighton Shaw 5 cons, pen), Havelock North 28 (Alex Philip, Lawson Gillies, Liam Murphy, Manahi Goulton tries; Hoera Stephenson 4 cons). HT: 22-21.
Napier Old Boys’ Marist 29 (Kade Manuel, Kaea Luke, Oto Katoa, Zach Taulapapa, Kyaan Tawhai tries; Jonty Stewart 2 cons), Hastings Rugby and Sports 16 (Liam Ward, Immanuel Naciva tries; Oscar Sowman 2 pens). HT: Hastings 16-10.
Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 87 (Jericho Wharehinga (3), Ewain Haire (3), Charlie Nash, Joel Russell, Drew Berg-McLean, Andrew Tauatevalu, Eli Rore, Ricco Tran, Grayson Ewart tries; Sheridan Rangihuna 10, Russell cons), Bridge Pa 0.
Taradale 52 (Metu Manase (2), Meni Manase, Nic Benn, Mikaele Tapili, Tobias Single, Bethel Malasia, Troy Thomas tries; Lule Thomas 5, Izaiah Tuliau cons), MAC 24 (Christ Poalaga (2), Bronson Hokianga, TK Kata tries; Poalaga, Alatasi Tupou cons). HT: 34-12.