SHANE HURNDELL
What can MAC do to combat a slick Clive outfit in next weekend's Hawke's Bay women's rugby final?
That was the question on the lips of most spectators after watching unbeaten Clive wallop Taradale 58-5 at Carters Arms Park yesterday. Taradale coach Arthur Brown's answer was typical of many.
"It's going
to take a good side to beat Clive. For years they've had a good pack but now they've got a good backline and their forwards can run like backs, too ... what a mix," he said.
Proud Clive coach Cheryl Heremia had the luxury of using Black Ferns prop Mel Ngatai off the bench. And Ngatai featured in numerous bursts with some clever passing skills.
Captain and flanker Chanel Huddleston impressed with her defensive workrate for the winners. Halfback Lisa Ropiha relished the dominance of her forwards, seldom took a wrong option and grabbed two tries.
Prop Michelle Wilson had a high workrate and contributed well to a powerful Clive scrum. Black Ferns fullback Amy Williams and centre Shaan Waru counter attacked well.
Promising centre Shaylee Tipiwai made the most of her opportunities in the losing backline. But late in the game, like several of her teammates, she was guilty of kicking too much possession away which is a sin when you're up against the likes of Williams and Waru.
Captain and hooker Helen McGregor and Black Ferns loosie Marina Canterbury had the odd memorable patch in battered Taradale pack.
Heremia faces an anxious week as the Black Ferns trialists assemble next week and she has yet to hear whether her trialists will be available for the final.
The three Momoisea sisters, blindside flanker Fai, centre Theresa and winger Noa, formed a magnificent trio in their Eskview side's 39-0 win against Aotea at Petane Domain on Saturday. Theresa and Fai were home on holiday from Waikato University.
Regular outside back Harriet Roil impressed in her first outing at halfback for the hosts. Lock Dee Pompey was Aotea's player-of-the-match and first five-eighth Pare Kopua was another to shine for the visitors.
The other game scheduled for the weekend, between Hastings Rugby and Sports and Western Suburbs was postponed until later this week.
