Clive centre Sasa Tofilau takes on the Hastings Rugby and Sports defence during Clive's 32-29 win at Elwood Park today. Photo/Paul Taylor
Clive centre Sasa Tofilau takes on the Hastings Rugby and Sports defence during Clive's 32-29 win at Elwood Park today. Photo/Paul Taylor
Third qualifiers Napier Old Boys Marist will host fourth qualifiers Clive in next weekend's Hawke's Bay Maddison Trophy premier club rugby competition final at Park Island.
A penalty try in injury time saw K9 Petfoods Clive upset top qualifiers Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports 32-29 in semifinal oneat Elwood Park today.
"The penalty try had to come. There were four or five scrums just before it and our forwards were outstanding to be honest," Clive head coach Vaine Maui said.
Hastings manager James Rosenberg said the loss of Magpies prop Jason Long with an ankle injury during the first five minutes was a big blow to the hosts. Poor discipline also proved costly for Hastings.
Magpies loosie Marino Mikaele-Tu'u was sinbinned in the first half and No 8 Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe was sinbinned in the second.
Defending champions Napier Old Boys Marist were classy in their 49-13 drubbing of Taradale Rugby and Sports at Tareha Recreational Reserve. First five-eighth Johnny Lauano scored 24 points with two tries and seven conversions from as many attempts at goal.
"We were beaten by a better team. They were well drilled and took their opportunities. We had opportunities but couldn't take them because of dropped balls and turnovers," Taradale assistant coach Mutu Ngarimu said.
Scorers: Clive 32 (J Eden-Whaitiri, J Tuhua, T Poto, penalty try, tries; Poto 2 cons, 2 pens), Hastings Rugby and Sports 29 (M Emerson, A Vuki, I Ioane, T Vaiusu tries; Vaiusu pen, Ioane 3 cons). HT: 11-3. Napier Old Boys Marist 49 (M Buckley 2, J Lauano 2, S Paese, M Thompson, S Weber tries; Lauano 7 cons), Taradale Rugby and Sports 13 (N Tweedy, K Whakataka tries; B Truesdale pen ). HT: 28-3.
