Rugby: Former Black Fern steers Clive to title

Clive display their jubilation after winning last night's Hawke's Bay Championship women's rugby final. Photo/Paul Taylor

Clive captain Amy Williams claimed to be worried all week as last night's Hawke's Bay Championship rugby final against Taradale loomed.

"I didn't want Taradale to be the third new team coming back into the comp to deny us a title like MAC did last year and Havelock North the year before," former Black Fern Williams said during her victory speech after the riversiders 23-7 victory at Farndon Park.

Williams was just being diplomatic. Her team was always in control and first five-eighth Williams, as she has been on numerous occasions since tasting World Cup glory in 2006, was the key architect.

She put her support runners into big holes, gained valuable metres with her tactical kicks and succeeded with three of her five attempts at goal in difficult conditions.

"Yes, Amy was the difference tonight," delighted Clive player-coach Te Maari MacGregor said.

"We missed her stability last year when she was playing in Italy. It was good to have her back."

"Our defence was awesome. It had to be as Taradale brought it to us and we conceded a lot of penalties," MacGregor said, referring to the fact her troops were on the receiving end of a 17-8 penalty count.

"The trophy is back home and all of our girls will be back next year to try to retain it. At least a quarter of our squad will be in the Hawke's Bay Tuis so we will benefit from that too," MacGregor added.

Her and Williams have an ideal blend of youth and experience to work with. Youngsters like Napier Girls' High School year 12 student Charlie Hoggard who played the first 40 minutes at lock and scored the first try in the 15th minute.

"That was my first try in this comp and it could be a crucial one," Hoggard said, as the second half began with the hosts ahead 18-7.

At the other end of the experience scale was 48-year-old No 8 Deidre Hakopa who played the entire match and shone with her defensive workrate and ability to put her support runners into space.

Flanker Laurae Blake and halfback Shaylee Tipiwai were others to display the benefits of their vast experience for the winners.

"We lost the game in the first half but we showed a lot of heart in the second," Taradale captain and first five-eighth Gemma Woods said.

"We started from the bottom and made the final. We've set the platform for next year," she added.

Taradale's scrum functioned well. Prop Natalie Cotton and flankers Luana Eden and Jasmine Taukamo-Apiata impressed with their workrates in the visiting pack.

Centre Felicity Powdrell was always dangerous on attack.

"It wasn't our night. We came here with the aim of turning Clive around and they turned us around better," Taradale coach Alby Baker said referring to the hosts winning of the tactical kicking passages.

Scorers:
Clive 23 (Charlie Hoggard, Yarnisae Whaitiri, Danielle Pomare-Mackay tries; Amy Williams 2 pens, con), Taradale 7 (Felicity Powdrell try; Sylvia Bockman con). HT: 18-7.