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.