Mighty Maroons add Challenge Shield to trophy cabinet
"We've got the little sisters ... it's now time to chase the big brother."
These were the words of Taradale Rugby and Sports co-coach Tim Combs after his team captured the Challenge Shield with today's 36-24 victory over Napier Old Boys Marist at Tremain Field. It was the first time the Mighty Maroons had won the shield since 2014.
The match was a second-round fixture in Hawke's Bay's Maddison Trophy premier club rugby competition. That trophy is the big brother Combs is referring to.
"We still need to be much better. We got sucked into their game today when we needed to be more patient and more structured," Taradale co-coach Boyd Carswell explained.
Taradale's player-of-the-match, busy No 8 Iakpo Mapu (pictured above in action earlier this season, photo Chris Kiely), had his hat-trick by the 42nd minute.
"I benefitted from our team's systems. We are treating every match like a final. I'm still chasing a spot in the Magpies NPC squad so I need to keep battling and keep working hard," Mapu said.
Flanker Nathan Tweedy and fullback Dylan Ramsay joined Mapu on the visitors MVP list. Their team won the Nash Cup earlier this season and today's win was their first at Tremain Field since 2015.
NOBM winger Michael Buckley made the most of his opportunities and deserved his two tries. Halfback Zach Donaldson operated well behind a pack that was on the back foot for long periods.
Experienced No 8 Matt Gardner was the pick of Green Machine's forwards.
Scorers:
Taradale Rugby and Sports 36 (Iakopo Mapu 3, Kienan Higgins, Lolani Faleiva tries; Brad Truesdale 4 cons; Cam Robinson pen), Napier Old Boys Marist 24 (Michael Buckley 2, James Holbrook, Reilly Hannon tries; Bain Champion 2 cons). HT: 28-19.
HASTINGS 47 CLIVE 7
Defending champions Hastings Rugby and Sports joined Taradale Rugby and Sports at the top of the points table with this surprisingly convincing victory at Farndon Park.
"We thought Clive might have been a lot stronger but they were short on numbers. Our scrum was our big strength," Hastings manager James Rosenberg said.
Locks Jessie Lesa-Sipaia and Danya Tulou were inspirational in the Hastings engine room. Prop Jason Long, hooker Miracle Lolofie and flanker Fale Matamata were other forwards listed on the visitors MVP list. First five-eighth Jordan Thompson-Dunn impressed with his tactical kicking and combined well with second five-eighth Danny Toala.
"We've got a lot of injuries so it was a tough day for us. But full credit to Hastings ... they brought it to us," Clive Rugby and Sports manager Dean Hales said.
Lock Donovan Mataira and prop Kereama Peni shone with their never-say-die approach in the Clive pack. Nick Biss, who had shifts at centre and fullback, was the pick of the backs.
For Magpies winger, Ray Karauria, who last played first-class rugby in 2005, played the final 10 minutes at second five-eighth for Clive. Lock Toby Wilberforce and prop Jahvahn Gill-Broadman were promoted from the club's colts side for their premier debuts.
Scorers:
Hastings Rugby and Sports 47 (Johnny Saifiti, Danny Toala, Fale Matamata, Danya Tulou, Jason Long, Eugene Sandilands, Joe Taafi tries; Connor McLeod 4, Toala 2 cons), Clive Rugby and Sports 7 (Nick Biss try; Tianua Poto con). HT: 21-7.
TECH 36 TAMATEA 29
Napier Technical kept their semifinal hopes alive with this win at Bill Mathewson Park.
Promising No 8 Xavier McCorkindale enhanced his reputation as a future Magpie with a hat-trick. Tech's new-look front row of hooker Kaine Cargill-Isaacs and props Tere Joel and Manaaki Aranui functioned well.
Halfback Sheridan Rangihuna and second five-eighth Ted Walters were the best of the Texans backs.
Flanker Jimi Harris again had a massive work rate in the Tamatea Rugby and Sports pack. Lock Dan Paku did well to steal three of the Texans lineout throws. First five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie was again classy in the Tamatea backline where the midfield duo of Hunta and Mataeus Marsh were enterprising.
Scorers:
Napier Technical 36 (Xavier McCorkindale 3, Jayden Stok, Ben Lewis, Cruz Davies tries; Sheridan Rangihuna 3 cons), Tamatea Rugby and Sports 29 (Lincoln McClutchie 2, Anaru Kupa, Jimi Harris, Kianu Kereru-Symes tries; McClutchie 2 cons). HT: 21-19.
CENTRAL 18 MAC 14
New Zealand under-20s squad member Harry Godfrey made sure Central Rugby and Sports club day in Waipukurau was one to remember.
Godfrey scored all 18 of his team's points with five penalties and a dropped goal. Prop Joel Hintz and loosies Jason Cutbush and Warwick Slingsby led the Central pack by example.
"With our colts team beating the highly fancied Taradale side 22-17 it was a good day all round," Central manager Ian Large said.
Halfback Johnny Ika was outstanding for MAC. His distribution and organisation was top shelf. Centre Sakopo Ofa and No 8 Faalemiga Selesele also made MAC manager Anthony Morley's MVP list.
"While Central never looked like challenging our line Godfrey's boot was the difference," Morley said.
Scorers:
Central Rugby and Sports 18 (Harry Godfrey 5 pens, dropped goal), MAC 14 (Lexus Greening, Sakopo Ofa tries; Vai Kereti 2 cons). HT: 12-7.
