Club rugby: Clarke delivers in final six minutes for Pirate

Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports first five-eighth Aayden Clarke hadn't played or trained with his side for seven weeks because of a cartilage injury.
But there was no way the former Magpie was going to miss his team's second round Tui Maddison Trophy clash with Taradale at Napier's Park Island on Saturday - the feature match of his club's 125th Jubilee weekend celebrations.
"This was too big a day to miss. Not just because of the Jubilee but because it was Danny's 100th and Tommy and Matt were playing too," said Clarke, referring to Danny Logan, Tom Symes and Matt Maxwell who he played alongside when Pirates recorded back-to-back Maddison Trophy title wins in 2004 and 2005.
Clarke took the field with 30 minutes remaining and once his shaky knee, which will be operated on in a fortnight, warmed up, he took control during the final six minutes.
With his side trailing 17-13, Clarke put through a clever grubber which his fullback, David Neilsen, scored from and, a couple of minutes later, succeeded with a dropped goal attempt to put the hosts ahead 21-17.
Seconds from the final whistle Clarke declined the opportunity to convert a spectacular try from centre Kris Alexander. Logan was given the honour and succeeded to cap a memorable 100th.
Lock Lloyd Foote pushed Logan hard for player-of-the-match honours with a huge workrate and Jarrod McCarthy, playing out of position at halfback, served the winning backline well.
Carters Frame and Truss Taradale produced some gutsy defensive patches, particularly in the first half. Halfback Hayden Topping impressed with his cover defence while veteran loosie Mike Chaffey was again inspirational.
Substitutes Harvey and Andrew Gardner displayed the benefits of their vast experience in the visiting pack where lock Reon Watts and No8 Kaleb Sweet were also busy.
Scorers: Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 28 (N Mogford, D Neilsen, K Alexander tries; Neilsen 2 pens; Neilsen, D Logan cons; A Clarke dropped goal), Taradale 17 (L Wright, H Gardner tries; L Wright 2 cons, pen). HT: 10-all.
Brothers shine

The Liebenberg brothers, J'andre and Jean Pierre, were inspirational as MAC scored a 27-13 win against Hastings Rugby and Sports at Flaxmere's Ron Giorgi Park.
First five-eighth J'andre and blindside flanker Jean Pierre provided quality leadership in the absence of Everard Reid and Hikairo Forbes who were rested because of Saracens XV commitments today and former All Black captain Taine Randell who was unavailable. Another Saracen, prop Whetu Barber, made some powerful carries during his 50 minutes.
Fullback Mose Fa'afua and second five-eighth Ihaka Waerea, who scored two tries, impressed in a backline well served by veteran halfback Cory Tamati as MAC retained the Challenge Trophy.
"You don't mind losing when a game is as entertaining as this one was," said Russell Roads Hastings Rugby and Sports coach Richard Saunders.
"At the same time we were disappointed we didn't get a bonus point," he added before singling out flankers Hamish McLean and Adam Saunders and No8 Pama Petia as his team's best.
Scorers: MAC 27 (I Waerea 2, C Tamati, M Fa'afua tries; J Liebenberg 2 cons, pen), Hastings Rugby and Sports 13 (J Hill, D Smith tries; Smith pen). HT: 22-3.
Villagers' depth
Havelock North boasts the necessary depth to retain the trophy.
The villagers proved this with a 31-13 win against Tremain Napier Old Boys Marist at Anderson Park. The hosts played without Saracens XV starters Adam Bradey, Isaac Paewai, Gillies Kaka and Logovi'i Mulipola.
Fellow Saracens Brendon Edmonds, Ihaia West and Maselino Paulino played for 50 minutes. Centre Matt Gordon was Havelock's player-of-the-match and halfback Junior Armstrong and flanker Luke Ottley were also prominent.
Veteran midfielder Andy Barham and loosie Rangi Vallance added to Havelock's depth. Former Hurricanes halfback Richard Jarman played the final 15 minutes for NOBM.
Lock Matt Thompson, prop Reece O'Leary and halfback Ross Clements all enjoyed memorable moments for the visitors who trailed 24-13 with 10 minutes remaining.
Scorers: Havelock North 31 (A Barham, R Vallance, J Armstrong, B Nicol tries; I West 3, L Armstrong cons; West pen), Napier Old Boys Marist 13 (M Johnson, R O'Leary tries; S Bradnoch pen). HT: 17-3.
Rowlands rules
Tamatea No8 Hamiora Rowlands was again tireless as his team recorded a 15-8 win against Central in Waipukurau.
"You're right. He's just so consistent ... he hasn't played a bad game all season," said Tamatea assistant coach Bryan Harris.
Lock Tama Hutana was another to impress in the winning pack.
"It was another frustrating game for us," said Central manager Graeme Dudley.
His troops were disappointed they could produce a winning 50th game for second five-eighth Gareth Ferguson who joined loosehead prop Andrew Martin and veteran halfback Richard Baines as the pick of the hosts.
Scorers: Tamatea 15 (P Paselio, O Harris tries; Harris pen, con), Central 8 (S Smith try; L Stewart pen). HT: 5-all.
Jones denied
Clive fullback Owen Jones was another to be denied a winning 50th when his side lost 34-17 to Napier Technical at Farndon Park.
The hosts did well to lead 10-3 at halftime and Hurricanes flanker Karl Lowe played 70 minutes for the hosts in his second outing since recovering from a leg injury. Along with Jones, prop Tama Reihana and lock Cory Moran, made Clive's MVP list.
Fullback Jordan Faia was Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical's player-of-the-day. Blindside flanker Fili Leota and prop Matt Meyers battled effectively in the winning pack.
Scorers: Napier Technical 34 (J Faia, F Leota, M Laisalaua, A Ene tries; T Cottrell 4 cons; Cottrell, J O'Connor pens), Clive 17 (M Mathewson, B Ropiha tries; Ropiha 2 cons, pen). HT: Clive 10-3.