The persistent drizzle won but so did predictably Taradale in the Hawke's Bay premier men's club cricket final in Napier today.
"It just shows that the results of all the games in the season do matter," said jubilant captain Luke Kenworthy of the You Travel-sponsored side.
Kenworthy said the rain settled in and they had to be realistic about not playing the MJF Shrimpton Memorial Cup 50-over final at Nelson Park against Bayley's Real Estate Havelock North CC.
As top qualifers before the playoffs Taradale successfully defended the silverware because it is the last Saturday before winter codes kick in.
The Sean Davies-coached Taradale beat Ruahine Motors Central Hawke's Bay in the one-day Hawke's Bay Cricket Association final last summer.