What a great day for our club. The scene at McLean Park was magnificent, with our Premier Team and support crew out on the field, and a great number of HRS supporters in the stand—screaming, laughing, and crying with joy! It was so good to be part of it, and something I was so proud to see and be involved in.
I would like to reflect on how this Maddison win was achieved, as it comes after many years of hard work—it takes time to build a Champion Team. Our coaching team of Sione Cherrington-Kite, Andrew Hui, and Bevan Lynch have done a wonderful job this year and in prior years, especially considering the circumstances and disruption that COVID-19 brought to our 2020 season.
They have achieved this result through hard work, great planning, and getting the players to take ownership on the field and produce some brilliant rugby. Lessons from 2019 were taken on board, and after lockdown, the whole group focused on the prize of the Maddison Trophy and achieved their goal.
Thanks to our coaches and our managers: James Rosenberg, John Makris, Physio Jodi Spurgeon, and Water Boys James Wilkie-George & Reihana Wilkie. To the players, so well-led by co-captains Jacob Devery & Jason Long, a fantastic result—I am so proud of you all!! (Jack Sanders)
Match Report
Hastings Auto Super Shoppes Premier: 22 vs. Taradale: 16
The Maddison Trophy final was played in perfect, spring-like conditions. Taradale started the game better than HRS and, after some early pressure from their forwards in the set pieces, they were rewarded with a penalty and a 3–0 lead. HRS hit back through a brilliant burst by second five, Danny Toala.
This put HRS on attack, and soon after, our number seven, Fale Matamata, scored the first of his two tries in the match. Connor McLeod converted, and we led 7–3. Danny Toala had to withdraw from the match due to injury and was replaced by recent club centurion Ausage Fomai—a valuable man to come into the game.
Taradale’s lineout was functioning well, and they were soon back in front with a converted try scored after a 40-metre lineout drive. Connor McLeod kicked a penalty before halftime to make the score 10–10 at HT. We turned down a penalty shot on the stroke of halftime, and this only added to the nervousness of our supporters in the stand.
The second half started like the first, with Taradale taking control at the breakdown and the forward battle. They kicked two penalties in the first twenty minutes of the second half as we gave away too many penalties, which conceded valuable territory.
But HRS weren’t done, as the forward pack regained their composure and grabbed the ascendancy. Two tries were scored in the last twenty minutes, both as the result of lineout drives. The first was scored by Jessie Lesa-Sipia after great lead-up work by Emil Crichton. The second try followed in similar circumstances and was scored by Fale Matamata, our man of the match.
The match never really flowed as there were lots of penalties awarded against both teams—mostly at the breakdown. This did not suit HRS, as we like to play an expansive game that brings our outstanding backline into action. Once again, our team defence was the key to holding Taradale to just one try.
It was great to have one of our Magpie players from last year, Timo Vaiusu, there with the sideline crew. Timo (another club centurion) hasn’t been able to play this year due to an ankle injury, which is now recovering after successful surgery.
Also adding support in the sideline dugout was one of our coaches from the previous three years—Tivaini Fomai, a great mentor for so many of our players who have not only come through our junior rugby ranks but also Hastings BHS, where “T” is a teacher. Tivaini has been a major influence in attracting players back to play for HRS. It was also so special for him to be out on McLean Park and witnessing two of his brothers—Ausage & Neria—contributing so well on the field for the Premiers.
Points Scorers
- Tries: Fale Matamata (2), Jessie Lesa-Sipia
- Conversions & Penalties: Connor McLeod (2 conversions, 1 penalty)
Player Note: Connor played in all eleven matches and collected 117 points this season. WELL DONE
