The Sharks kept the Eels scoreless at the weekend and the Taieri boys suffered more front row injuries. So much so that the last 25 minutes was played with "Golden Oldie" scrums. Luckily for them, they have the bye this weekend.
Southern did enough in a thriller with Varsity to hold on to the "Vic" for another year. In the other big game, Kaik were too good for previously unbeaten GI, even though their scrum got monstered by the Spannerheads.
As I predicted, Zingers are now top of the comp when they did enough to beat Harbour by 20 to get their hands on the ‘‘Scoles’’ for the first time in many a year.
So where to from here? I think we can say the top six could be done and dusted with six rounds to go. Taieri, Harbour and AU are at least 14 points adrift of Varsity. So, the top six should be Zingers, Southern, GI, Kaik, Dunedin and Varsity. But the order is a long way from being determined as all these teams can beat each other in any given week.
The 300
It’s all about Chris Bell tomorrow when he plays his 300th premier game for Zingers in the Bert Hellyer Memorial match against Green Island up at the cemetery. It’s also a match between two of the top three teams, but that pales in comparison to this milestone.
Chris is a great club man and views this day as about Zingari and not him. The publicity and good will that it generates for Zingari is key for him.
You may have to helicopter into the game as you won’t get a park for miles. Four of their teams are playing at home, so it will be wall-to-wall people, but get along if you can.
I did a Rugby Chat with him yesterday, so go to odt.co.nz to view that — I think it encapsulates who he is and what his club means. Good on ya mate — hell of an achievement (and he is 39 now) which we will never see again!
Rugby at the races
The Otago Racing Club is holding their last feature meeting of the year next Sunday out at Wingatui, which is King’s birthday weekend. They are inviting all rugby clubs out for a special punting competition.
I know a few clubs will be out because of 140th weekends, but a shout out to the other clubs to get along and support it. Just contact Noelle Prince at the Otago Racing Club and she will sort it out.
I might get out and do a Racing Chat of the day, so I’ll see you there.
The streak
This will probably put the hex on them, but I think it deserves some publicity.
The Makos (Dunedin prem colts team) have put an enviable record together over the last five years. They have won the last five prem colts banners and are unbeaten in their last 35 games.
That streak started four games from the end of the season in 2021 and is still alive going into this weekend. If it was the same team, you’d think that’s pretty good. But remember, in prem colts, the teams change dramatically every season.
So, to coach Paul Higgins and assistant coaches, congratulations on the streak. Again, let’s hope this is not the "kiss of death".
They’re tough in the country
I was moaning at the weekend how cold it was at Shark Park, but these climactic conditions pale into insignificance compared with what Central Otago was like at the weekend.
Matak played Upper Clutha in a full-on blizzard at the Omakau showgrounds. It was a complete white out and the "heavies" had open fire pots all around the ground to save the crowd and players from frostbite.
It was that snowy and icy that one spectator tried to leave the ground at the end of the game and skidded into four other cars – I kid you not! It was probably some disgruntled "yuppie" Wanaka supporter. I’ll cover country rugby more in-depth next week.
This weekend
Another perfect weekend from yours truly when dispatching Lee-Anne from Dunedin Netball with consummate ease. Back to Dave Callon this week and I owe him one, so the run continues.
Dunedin (12-) are at home to Kaik and it’s nearly too close to call, but I’ll take the Sharks as they have a bigger pack, and the forecast is not encouraging!
GI come calling on Zingari (12-) and the Spannerheads go in as hot favourites but I can’t take them on Belly’s big day. Zingers win.
Varsity (13+) head down to Port with Stodart back in the lineup and they’ll be all over Harbour like a cheap suit.
AU host Southern (13+) at the Pony Pit and I’m afraid it’s all one way and will be decidedly black and white.
I was asked to lead the street parade when Owaka beat West Taieri last week as I tipped them for the upset of the season — did I tell you I go good in the country?
On to Paula Clark from Cromwell, who is on the committee there and is the manager of the Central Otago women’s team, but I’m picking a positive result still.
Arrowtown (12-) are at home to Matak and with the advantage of Jack Reid Park they get up.
In the big clash, the two top teams face off and Upper Clutha (13+) lay waste to Wakatip to remain unbeaten.
The Maggots (12-) slither their way to Cromwell to take on the Goats and the farmers from Gimmerburn get it done.
P.S. Who do the Rugby Players association think they are? More next week.
