Green Island helped celebrate Dean Moeahu's 200th premier match in style with its 33-25 victory over Pirates at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Moeahu was cheered on to the field with a guard of honour comprising junior players before joined by members of his own squad.
For Moeahu, who epitomises the heart and soul of a club player, the bonus-point win was right up there as one of his favourite moments, he said after the game.
He captained a side that stuck to its game plan and was explosive on attack and firm in defence.
A brace of tries to Green Island openside flanker Tala Moli was just reward. Moli and blindside flanker Mika Mafi were tireless workers around the field and both were instrumental in defence and dangerous in broken play.
Moli and Mafi inspired a committed forward pack that at times struggled against the Pirates pack in set pieces. No 8 Junior Sala and prop Simon McCarthy helped tame the Paul Miller-led Pirates pack, assisting in Moeahu gaining options and space for his backs, where he and first five-eighth Joe Bartlett exposed space.
Pirates forwards Josh Clark and Solomon T-Pole were key contributors, while in the backs Marshall Suckling and Glenn Dickson were a lethal combination on attack.
Green Island 33 (Tala Moli 2, Mika Mafi, James Spooner tries; Joe Bartlett 2 con, 3 pen), Pirates 25 (Paul Miller, Solomon T-Pole, Craig Sneddon, Dan Te Au tries; Craig Sneddon con, pen). Halftime: Pirates 15-10.
