Michael Allardice was quick to sidestep the kudos as it was piled on him after Saturday’s round in Hawke’s Bay’s premier club rugby competition.
“Michael took the field as a second-half replacement and was the spark we needed. He was the difference between the two sides during that half, no doubt about it,” Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports manager Charles Reid said, after his side’s upset 31-30 win against Hawke’s Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist in a Tui Maddison Trophy third-round clash at Tamatea Park.
Reid’s troops trailed 24-5 at halftime.
“It was more a team effort. We scored an early second-half try and it was like a switch had flicked,” Allardice explained.
The Magpies lock pointed out he had an extra incentive to perform in just his third club outing of the season, his first after being sidelined for two months following knee surgery.
Centre Matt Hill produced his best performance of the season for the hosts. Second five-eighth Jackson Neilson was another to impress in the winning backline.
Hooker Matt Willis and lock Matt Brown joined Allardice as the key cogs in the engine room. After his team dominated the first half NOBM manager Mike Smith was surprised at the manner in which the visitors were outplayed at the breakdown during the second spell.
Openside flanker Pouvi “Three Lungs” Fatialofa, No 8 Joseph Penitito and halfback Wilson were the architects of NOBM’s first half domination.
Clive 28 Tamatea 7
Referee Bruce Dockary produced a polished display in his 150th premier outing as his former club Clive won this Farndon Park encounter.
Clive officials mentioned before the game Dockary may be tossed in the river to celebrate the occasion but it didn’t eventuate. Tamatea couldn’t blame a 15-10 penalty count in the host’s favour for their loss as spilled ball, some close to the tryline, and poor 50-50 passes which didn’t find their target proved to be the visitors’ downfall.
“We were far too flat and yes those 50-50 passes cost us,” Tamatea co-coach Aaron Painter said afterwards.
Clive head coach Andy Green was proud of the improved structures, mobility and pace his troops displayed following a coaching visit from former Magpies coach Peter Russell on Thursday night.
Loosies Jesse Tuhua and Adam Jones were a dynamic pair in the Clive pack and centre Nathan Worsley was the pick of the hosts backs. Substitute lock Tama Hutana and openside flanker Sheridan Kite shone with their never-say-die approach in the Tamatea pack and halfback Wayne Nikora distributed well behind a beaten pack.
Central 24 Hastings 24
This Central Park encounter in Waipukurau was almost a club day upset.
“We’re happy with the draw but at the same time it could easily have been a win. It was a case of missed opportunities and we were very unlucky,” Northfuels Central manager Tony Lepelaars said.
Lock Hugh Graham, winger Harry de Lautour and openside flanker all made Central’s MVP list. IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports led 17-14 at halftime but failed to secure enough ball and didn’t defend well in the second half.
Flankers Jack Crasborn and Tom Burns maintained their high standards in the Hastings pack while former Magpies fullback James Rosenberg was the best of the visiting backs.
Havelock 29 Tech 15
The late withdrawal of co-captain Adam Bradey with an injury didn’t stop Progressive Meats Havelock North from winning this top-of-the-table clash at Anderson Park.
Havelock manager Richard Kinnear was rapt with the manner in which his troops managed the setback and secured the bonus point for four tries. Fullback Ryan Tongia was again classy and joined centre Trinity Spooner-Neera as the pick of the villagers backs while prop Kelly Petrowski was the best of the forwards.
“We often drifted from our game plan and when we did Havelock got us out wide,” Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical manager Cyril Whitburn said.
Former All Black Zac Guildford at fullback and centre Tane McGuire impressed in the Tech backline and loosies Trent Boswell-Wakefield and Jamie Muir were rugged warriors in the Tech pack.
Taradale 62 MAC 7
Substitute fullback Wade Woolley grabbed a hattrick within 20 minutes for Carters Frame and Truss Taradale during this Flaxmere Park walloping.
Wingers Andrew Wilson and Nick Martin both made the most of their opportunities and scored two tries each. Magpies No 8 Mark Atkins was the best of the competition leaders forwards and also scored two tries.
Second five-eighth Ihaka Waerea had some memorable moments in the host backline while loosies Dempsey Greening and Hyrah Wainohu joined captain and lock Everard Reid as the best in the MAC pack.
Comments are closed.