Reigning Hawke's Bay rugby Champions Hastings Rugby and Sports have taken a big step towards getting 2021 first-round trophy the Nash Cup in to the cabinet alongside the Maddison Trophy by beating Napier Old Boys Marist 30-26 in the third round of the new club rugby season.
Playing on home ground Elwood Park, with each side unbeaten at the top of the five-team Pool 1, Hastings was down 0-7 early but bounced back to take the lead in the second quarter, lead 22-12 at the turn and stretch the margin to 15 points before OBM stormed back with two converted tries to make a close game of it in the final stages.
In the key Pool 2 game, Taradale maintained their unbeaten record with a 34-17 win over fellow Napier Tech Old Boys.
With two matches to play before the first round final, Hastings and Nash Cup holder Taradale are now in the box-seat to play the May 8 final – a rematch of last year's championship final in which Hastings beat Taradale to claim the Maddison Trophy outright for the first time.
The class of Hawke's Bay Magpies first five-eighths Lincoln McClutchie was obvious as rejuvenated Hastings side Tamatea scored its second win, 37-22 away to Central on a big day of country club rugby at Central Park, Waipukurau.
