Saracens beaten again

The Hawke's Bay Saracens were beaten 19-3 by Taranaki in a pre-season rugby fixture in Hawera today.

The Saracens led 3-0 at halftime after a Tiaan Falcon penalty. Hawke's Bay Magpies head coach Craig Philppott said his troops displayed vast improvement on the previous week's 54-17 loss to the Manawatu Eveergreens.

Two pushover tries proved to be the difference between the two teams. Strong winds and poor ground conditions made attack difficult for both teams. Prop Jason Long, hooker Jorian Tangaere and flanker Ben Hamelink produced strong performances for the Saracens.

In other action, Napier Old Boys Marist completed a clean sweep of Hawke's Bay's premier club rugby trophies with a 41-8 win against Taradale in the Maddison Trophy final at Napier's McLean Park today.

Earlier in the seson the team had won the Nash Cup and the Challenge Shield. The NOBM club also won the the Black and White Shield for the top club in the Bay.
Scorers:

Napier Old Boys Marist 41 (Sam Giddens, Jarvy Aoake, Migao Lauano, 2 Eugene Gerrard 2 tries; Giddens 2 pens, dropped goal; Liam Edwards con), Taradale 8 (Ellery Tareha try; Gregor McNeish pen). HT: 16-3.

Meanwhile Clive won the Pat Ryan Memorial Trophy with a 14-10 win over Napier Old Boys Marist in Hawke's Bay's Colts rugby final at Napier's McLean Park today.

It was played in atrocious weather conditions which forced the Hawke's Bay division three final between YMP and Flaxmere in Raupunga to be postponed.

Scorers:
Clive 14 (Dusky Pineaha try; Scott Brocklehurst 3 pens), Napier Old Boys Marist 10 (Israel Gill, Loulani Faieva tries). HT: 6-0.