Rugby: Memorable double for Clive

Clive's premier men's and women's rugby players celebrate their double after the Maddison Trophy final at Park Island today. Photo/Paul Taylor

Taxi drivers were tipped to turn over big bucks outside the Clive Rugby Club at Farndon Park tonight.

Three hours after the Clive women's rugby team retained their Hawke's Bay women's championship title with a 48-28 win over Taradale at Farndon Park Clive's premier men won the Maddison Trophy for the first time since 2000 with a 37-7 drubbing of defending champions Napier Old Boys Marist at Park Island.

"We stuck to our game plan. To play them at their home and beat them at home was a huge effort," delighted K9 Petfoods Clive captain and No 8 Lucas Goodin said afterwards.

As the score suggests his team, the fourth qualifiers for the semifinals, was dominant against WIT Napier Old Boys Marist who were gunning for a third consecutive title. The hosts were guilty of making uncharacteristic unforced errors, a tribute to the tremendous defensive pressure applied by Clive.

In the second half NOBM didn't venture into their attacking 22 until the 79th minute. Hurricane Jonah Lowe was thirsty for work on the wing for Clive and scored two tries.
Chiefs utility back Tiaan Falcon was a second half replacement for Clive and directed the backline well from first five-eighth.

The Clive forwards outmuscled their NOBM opponents. Each and everyone of them were heroes with veteran frontrower Sam Ebbitt, 43, inspirational.

Ebbitt, who played in the 1999 and 2000 Maddison Trophy-winning teams and started this season as an assistant coach but was called out of retirement when injuries hit mid-season reckoned he will be back for another season next year.

"Clive took it to us and got the result. It was well deserved. Enjoy your night and the days to come," gracious NOBM captain and No 8 Chris Johnston said.

In the women's final the hosts, who were unbeaten this season, had first use of a strong wind and deserved their 31-7 lead at halftime. Clive's support play was outstanding.

Player-coach Te Maari MacGregor at centre, fullback Shaylee Tipiwai and 2006 world champion Black Ferns utility back Amy Williams, who played halfback today, were slick operators in the winning backline. Flanker Laurae Blake, veteran No 8 Deidre Hakopa and hooker Jesse Carter were influential in the engine room.

Clive's defence in the second half was tenacious. The conceding of soft turnovers proved costly for Taradale.

Second five-eighth Natasha Greville, centre Krysten Cottrell and fullback Kaitlin Bates had memorable moments in the Taradale backline. While the Taradale scrum and lineout play was acceptable the maroons forwards were guilty of losing too much ball in the contact area.

Scorers:
Maddison Trophy final:
Clive 37 (J Lowe 2, J Eden-Whaitiri, R Pohatu, L Goodin, E Tuanaki tries; T Falcon, T Poto cons; Poto pen), Napier Old Boys Marist 7 (M Gardner try; J Lauano con). HT: 13-7.
Women's Championship Cup final:
Clive 48 (S Tipiwai 2, D Pomare-Mackey 2, T MacGregor, A Williams, L Blake, T McIlroy tries; Williams 4 cons), Taradale 28 (K Bates 2, N Greville, C Eparaima tries; K Cottrell 4 cons). HT: 31-7.