Rugby matriarch will be a key focus for Taradale
Taradale Rugby and Sports will dedicate tomorrow's ninth round Maddison Trophy clash against Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Park Island to club matriarch Adele Wakely a day after her memorial service.
"It's quite ironic. Adele died on the first day of our original lockdown and her memorial service was staged this morning with only 100 people because of Level Two restrictions," Taradale co-coach Tim Combs explained after the service.
Wakely, who had numerous roles at the club since 1955 as well as the Hawke's Bay Junior Intercity Board, died in March after a battle with cancer. She was 88.
"The service was a fantastic celebration of her life. Paul did an outstanding job as MC," Combs said referring to former Maori All Black and fellow club life member Paul Blake who was one of Wakely's favourite players.
"We had a great morning and tomorrow we will aim to finish things off for her."
The visitors will aim to retain the Jenkinson-Leadbetter Cup in the clash. Already this season the Mighty Maroons have retained the Nash Cup, the Beck-Gusscott Cup and Cooper-O'Dwyer Cup.
With a semifinal berth already secured Taradale will rest a couple of key players who have niggly injuries.
"We've been impressed with the intensity and depth within our squad. All 24 players in our squad are pushing for the 22 spots available for next week's semifinal," Combs stressed.
"Obviously Pirates have had a mixed season [two wins from eight games] but if they were to beat us tomorrow they would consider their season a success. While there will be no crowds tomorrow because of the Level Two restrictions we don't want to use that as an excuse for any poor performance because it is the same for everyone," Combs added.
This match, the feature game of Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports club day, will be streamed live on the Hawke's Bay App from 1.15pm as will be the 3pm clash on Field 1 at Tremain Field between Enviro Clean and Restoration MAC and Tamatea and Sunday's 3pm clash on the same field between WIT Trust Napier Old Boys Marist and Progressive Meats Havelock North.
Other games tomorrow will see Northfuels Central host Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports at Waipukurau's Central Park from 3pm and Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical take on Andrew Clark Tremain Clive Rugby and Sports from 3pm on Temain Field 2.
Regardless of the results of this weekend's games the August 22 semifinals will see top qualifiers Hastings Rugby and Sports take on Napier Technical and Taradale Rugby and Sports clash with defending champions Napier Old Boys Marist.
