Rugby: Title sweet revenge for Dale

Taradale division 2 rugby team captain Jeremy Ross (with trophy) leads celebrations after winning the Town/Country Pratt Trophy in Dannevirke on Saturday. Photo / Christine McKay

The Taradale rugby team got off the bus at Dannevirke's Rugby Park on Saturday determined to take the Pratt Trophy home with them, coach Karl Bidlake said.

And in a tough encounter the team did just that, defeating Aotea 24-15 and delighting the large contingent of vocal supporters who had travelled to Dannevirke.

"We had a good training on Thursday night and confidence was high," Bidlake told the Dannevirke News.

After going down 31-5 to Aotea in last week's semifinal, also played in Dannevirke, Bidlake said his team changed their game on Saturday to suit how they wanted to play. "Everything went our way and the boys were a lot more positive," he said.

As Peter Fleming of the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union said, this was a game of two halves with Aotea leading 10-0 at one stage.

"It was a great game and I know Taradale were very keen to reverse last week's result," Fleming said.

"Aotea have done very well this season, but 15 minutes into the second half Taradale really dug in and took advantage of a very even game."

After two tries, one a runaway which was converted, Taradale were up 17-10 and with 27 minutes to go they were on top 24-10.

However, Aotea managed a last-minute consolation try right on full time - the final score 24-15.

Taradale captain Jeremy Ross admitted the game had been "real tough footy".

"We'd learned from last week and didn't want that [a defeat] to happen again, so we had to dig it in," he said.

"I hope now that Aotea can win through in the second round and make it into the premier grade."

Aotea manager Ken Todd admitted the game had been tight.