Hawke’s Bay club rugby: Taradale begins quest for redemption with win

Taradale Rugby and Sports Club began their quest for Hawke’s Bay club rugby redemption with a relatively comfortable win over Napier Pirate.

Taradale, who fell at the final hurdle in their bid to win a third-straight Maddison Trophy last year, started their Bayleys Commercial Nash Cup campaign on home turf at Tareha on Saturday.

Flynn Allen was the hat trick hero for Taradale, running in a couple of long-range tries on the right flank. Izaiah Tuliau also dotted down twice and converted three of the six conversions as Taradale took maximum points.

Pirate have welcomed the man who kicked the winning points of last year’s final for Napier Tech Sheridan Rangihuna into the fold this year as player-coach, but even with his influence they were well behind as the second half ticked down.

Tries to Luke Russell, Al Momoisea and the final try of the game to Andrew Tauatevalu wasn’t enough to give them a bonus point as they head to next week in need of a win at home against Dannevirke-based Aotea.

Taradale will play bottom-placed Clive who were thrashed 71-15 by MAC.

In other results, Napier Tech were given a good scare by CHB before walking away with all five points from a 34-27 home win, Havelock North tipped over Napier Old Boys Marist 24-12, and Hastings Rugby and Sports showed they could be a force in 2024 with a 55-22 dismantling of Aotea.

Nash Cup Hawke’s Bay club rugby results round 1, 2024

HRS: 55 Tries: Isaac Hinton, Dylan Panghal (4), Oscar Sowman, Kyan Lowe, Jordan Thompson-Dunn, Dennis Tapusoa Conversions: Koby Deacon (5) Aotea: 22 Tries: Samuel Jones, Epeli Wacia, Gene Ropoama, Rangi Chase Conversion: Hoera Stephenson

Havelock North: 24 Tries: Epeli Tanadroga, William Underwood, Alex Philip, Cooper Flanders Conversions: Trent Hape (2) NOBM: 12 Tries: Tuli Faleiva, Ricky Hayes Conversion: Jonty Stewart

TRSC: 36 Tries: Flynn Allen (3), Izaiah Tuliau (2), Thomas Eden Conversions: Izaiah Tuliau (3) Pirate: 19 Tries: Luke Russell, Al Momoisea, Andrew Tauatevalu Conversions: Sheridan Rangihuna (2)

NTOB: 34 Tries: Pevelise Faumuina, Bethel Luotele Malasia (2), Kianu Kereru-Symes (2), Tim Farrell Conversion: Bethel Luotele Malasia (2) CHB: 27 Tries: Kaliova Mocetadra, Tui Kuru (2), George Macpherson Conversion: Jordan Soli (2) Penalty: Jordan Soli

M.A.C: 71 Tries: Zedakiah Te Rongonui Kingi Awa, Elia Bari, Lorosio Yabakidrau, Meni Manase, John Ika (3), Arama Kite, Damarus Hokianga, Jayrome Mcgoon Conversions: Zedakiah Te Rongonui, Elia Bari, Benidito Vakaruru (7) Penalty: Benidito Vakaruru Clive: 15 Tries: Jayden Falcon, Aminiasi Koroi Conversion: Jayden Falcon Penalty: Jayden Falcon