Higgins grabs hat-trick as Saracens run riot in Masterton
Classy centre Kienan Higgins grabbed a hat-trick as the Hawke's Bay Saracens rugby side beat Wairarapa Bush 62-19 in Masterton today.
Taradale Rugby and Sport's Higgins (pictured above, photo Chris Kiely) was just as prominent in the Memorial Park clash as he was when he scored three tries for his club in their Nash Cup final win against Hastings Rugby and Sports last month.
The Saracens squad contained 31 members of the Magpies wider training group and Magpies head coach Mark Ozich decided to take a lot of younger players sprinkled with some experienced ones.
"We were rapt to give so many of our young guys that opportunity," Ozich said afterwards.
"Overall we were pretty pleased. Things were a little bit messy in the first half when we turned the ball over too much through a lack of patience. But in the second half we did the basics well," Ozich explained.
Promising 19-year-old Napier Technical No 8 Xavier McCorkindale made the most of his 20 minutes off the subs bench. Taradale Rugby and Sports flanker Nathan Tweedy and Napier Old Boys Marist flanker Will Tremain were other loosies to provide quality impact off the pine.
Captain and tighthead prop Joel Hintz from the Central club, Hastings Rugby and Sports hooker Jacob Devery and Clive Rugby and Sports No 8 Josh Kaifa were also inspirational in the winning pack.
New Zealand under-20 squad first five-eighth Harry Godfrey from the Central club started and coped well with the tempo of the match. Tamatea Rugby and Sports centre Dennon Robinson-Bartlett, a former Bay of Plenty Steamers outside back who had recently returned from a seven-week spell with a broken thumb, shone during the last 20 minutes with his defensive reads and a clever unload.
Scorers:
Hawke's Bay Saracens 62 (Kienan Higgins 3, Mason Emerson 2, Hemaua Samasoni, Frank Lochore, Josh Kaifa, Gene Symington, Xavier McCorkindale tries; Tianua Poto 3, Connor McLeod 2, Harry Godfrey cons), Wairarapa Bush 19. HT: 24-19.
