Hawke’s Bay club rugby: Napier’s McLean Park to host 3 finals

Pirates were Hawke's Bay premier club-rugby champions in 2015 - can they do it again 10-years on? Photo / NZME

Napier’s McLean Park will host three club-rugby finals in a “celebration of community rugby” on Saturday.

Gates open at 10.30am for the 11am start of the division 2 final’s Tom Mulligan Cup between Waipawa Country United and Otane.

The next fixture, the colts final’s Pat Ryan Memorial Trophy contested by Havelock North and Taradale will begin at 1pm.

Then the biggie, the premier Maddison Trophy final, where Taradale and Pirates will square off at 3pm.

Māori All Blacks Pouri Rakete-Stones and Zarn Sullivan will both be taking the field for Pirates in an attempt to dethrone the reigning Maroon Maddison champions.

If they’re successful it’ll be the first time Pirates have held the trophy since 2015.

Sean Davies, Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union community rugby manager, said it was fitting to hold the majority of club finals games at McLean Park.

“It’s a great way to cap off the season and celebrate the senior club competition,” Davies said.

“It allows many of the volunteers who run the club the opportunity to have the day off and let Hawke’s Bay Rugby look after them for once.

“For many of the players this will be their debut on McLean Park and we hope this creates some great memories for them and of course the whanau.”

*Children wearing club kit get in free. The ticket box opens at 10am, or you can get tickets at hbmagpies.flicket.co.nz.