Taradale's Majella Tufuga scores toward the end of the first half against NOBM. Photo / Ian Cooper
Taradale's Majella Tufuga scores toward the end of the first half against NOBM. Photo / Ian Cooper
Taradale and Hastings Rugby and Sports will compete for the Premier Grade Maddison Trophy on Saturday after a weekend of semifinal rugby in Hawke's Bay.
TARADALE 24 – NOBM 20
WIT Napier Old Boys Marist opening the scoring against Taradale through prop Patrick Teddy, but their opponents hit back quickly through hooker Josh Combs who finished off a chip-and-chase by wing Majella Tufuga.
NOBM dominated territory through to the 25th minute when hooker Dom Devine crashed over, and were ahead at the break 17-13. Taradale didn't help their cause, with lock Angelo Mufana spending 10 minutes in the sinbin.
The second half was an arm wrestle, with Taradale dominating territory and accumulating penalty points through the boot of Magpie Caleb Makene.
With 10 minutes to go, it was NOBM who were down to 14 players and Taradale turned up the heat, hammering the NOBM tryline, with wing Majella Tufuga eventually crossing to continue his impressive try-scoring run.
Rich with big-match experience, NOBM went back on attack and closed to 21-20 through a penalty with four minutes to play.
However, a late penalty from Makene sealed the deal for the Maroons, putting them into next week's final at McLean Park.
Taradale's Joe Apikatoa and Lolani Faleiva had strong games up front, with Makene directing traffic well and kicking crucial goals to continue his strong claim for the Magpies' 10 jersey.
NOBM's best were hooker Devine, captain Chris Johnston and elusive wing Michael Buckley.
HASTINGS R&S 44 - NAPIER TECHNICAL 25
The second premier semifinal was a high-scoring, entertaining affair as Altherm Window Solutions Napier Technical faced up against Auto Super Shoppes Hastings Rugby and Sports.
The Texans started best, with outstanding hooker Tere Joel crossing for the first of two tries on the back of an effective forward drive that Napier Tech continued to use well all day.
Danya Tulou on the charge for Hastings against Napier Tech. Photo / Ian Cooper
Halfback Connor McLeod scampered in under the posts for HRS, followed by tries to Jayden Rihia and Neria Fomai, the latter scoring after 24 minutes, going over in the tackle of Tech fullback Kurt Baker after beating several defenders in a scintillating 70m run.
Baker soon had his moment, brushing off two HRS defenders to score Tech's second try.
Hastings went into the break 26-15 after centre Antonio Mikaele-Tuu broke through to dot down.
The second-half scoring opened with Rihia cleaning up some loose ball to provide Fomai his second try to extend Hastings' lead.
Tech's former Magpie loose forward Trent Boswell-Wakefield soon had his supporters chanting "here we come" with a try in the corner midway through the second half.
