The wrap
As per usual I spoke too soon as we saw our first big upset of the season.
Dunedin went in against Kaik, their old nemesis, with everybody predicting a romp after Kaik’s first two games. The Kaik boys may not have seen the paper, as they embarrassed the Sharks in the second spell at the High Veldt to record their first win of the season.
If the Landers need another loosie they could do worse than Lucas Casey who has bulked up over the summer and scored the match winner.
The Sharks are fighting with AU currently for the dreaded spoon. Harbour confirmed their win over Southern was no fluke by trouncing Zingari at the Goldfish Emporium.
Nathan Hastie was in superlative touch for the Hawks. In the closest game of the round Taieri got up late to upset Varsity in a rollercoaster of a game by a solitary point. The sister clubs (and best buddies) Taieri and GI are stapled together at the top of the table.
GI were comfortable 40 point winners over AU with Highlander Michael Manson nailing four tries.
How the mayors fared
You will have seen we have had the Otago mayors doing the picking in town and down on the farm over the first few weeks so I thought I’d announce the winner and give the losers some stick.
Mayor Radich kicked us off in town and ended up with a –5 aggregate against yours truly. There is a few issues in town apparently so he just hasn’t put the work in so it’s not surprising.
Mayor Glyn Lewers from Queenstown (and Wanaka) went in very confident but let’s be honest, reached too far and also ended up with a –5 point differential.
Mayor Tamah Alley from Central Otago after seeing their demise was more circumspect but was fixated with why Alex called themselves the Armadillos (more on that soon) so she also ended up with a –5 average.
So the winner is Mayor Bryan Cadogan from South Otago who just stuck to his knitting and unbelievably tipped me over with a +5 point differential to scoop the title.
There was lots of banter from mayors with red wine to the winners flying around. But Mayor Bryan requested Speights. We’ll do it again next year.
Finally the ton
A little bird (or an ample manager) tells me that Aleki Morris Lome is suiting up for his 100th game tonight for Harbour against Taieri out at the Eelpit.
It’s been a long time coming for Aleki with prolonged injury spells, rugby abroad and a very tough few years in his family life. I know Aleki well and I’m really proud with all the adversity he has faced and overcome that and he finally gets to don a 100 game blazer for his club.
I face a running battle it seems like weekly with the Harbour "Heavies", but make sure you do him proud tonight or over the next couple of weeks.
Aleki heartiest congratulations justly deserved — good on ya mate.
Down on the farm
North Otago and Central Otago are off over Easter. Do they ever play in the far north? South Otago however are playing — very sensible lot down there. They are taking their time though — the games are being played from Thursday to Saturday.
Undoubtedly the big game is Toko up against Crescent on Saturday afternoon at 3pm in Milton. It’s Toko’s 125th anniversary so Milton will be humming.
If you’re passing through call in. It will be some watch. But big congrats to the Toko club on reaching the magic mark of 125.
Readers I’ve mentioned the Toko Prison Guards have been playing their games (tongue in cheek) on the "prison lawn", but I can confirm the game will be played at Milton.
To those going to the celebrations, please don’t end up at the other venue. One of your favourite sons is also doing the picks this weekend.
The Larry Salmon
The Sharks dusted off one of their most famous trophies at the weekend, the Larry Salmon Memorial which had been contested between Dunedin and Pirates up until 2017.
We then unfortunately had the demise of Pirates, so the trophy sat idle and dusty.
Larry was a stalwart of the Sharks and was the Dunedin physio and masseur for what felt like 100 years. He was also the mein host of the famous old Beach Hotel where Dunedin and Pirates located their second homes.
With Pirates putting out a team in second grade this year, the trophy was up for grabs once again, when Pirates took on the Dunedin Sandsharks at Kettle Park. I can report the Sharks safely held on to their treasured possession.
It was great to see the Shark clubrooms full of Pirates supporters, especially a couple of their life members, Mike Gain and Bryan Lloyd.
The smiles on all their faces was reward enough as they finally have something to do on those winter Saturdays. They’ve been aimlessly wandering around games looking desolate and forlorn.
Well done to Dicko, Dodge and Ogre and co for making it happen.
Tech for technophobes
The drums are beating for this scoring, draws and results system brought in by NZ Rugby to go.
I’m around the traps a lot on a Saturday and nobody has a kind word to say about it. A lot of the older supporters even want the draw back in the ODT on a Thursday.
Otago Rugby, can we at least make that happen? I know that’s easy to do. But either update this system or go back to Sporty.
You are doing your grassroots supporters no favours.
This weekend
Turn out the lights, shut the doors, pull the shades, yours truly got thrashed by a Volts cricketer, Llew Johnson, at the weekend — a disgrace.
On to another Volt this weekend and the captain no less, Max Chu. Being a wicketkeeper he’ll be hard to beat, so confidence is low.
GI are taking on Varsity in the Greenhouse so running rugby is assured. GI (12-) go in as favourites with Manson and Te Hiwi probably suiting up for them.
Varsity will appreciate the conditions so it will be tight – GI just.
The wooden spooners, Dunedin (13+), and AU square off tonight at Tahuna Park and surely the Sharks turn it around.
The Eels host Harbour put at the Eelpit and there won’t be anything in it. Both teams are unbeaten so you could toss a coin, but it’s Aleki’s 100th and Hastie is playing, so I'll stick with Harbour (12-).
Southern are also at the Greenhouse up against Zingari and I feel the Magpies (13+) will be too strong.
In the South I’m up against Toko’s favourite son, Dick Knight, who played hundreds of games for them, not to mention a couple of hundred for Otago, so I’m on the ropes.
Owaka (12-) are at home to Clutha Valley and I’m predicting the upset. Owaka win but only just.
West Taieri (13+) will be too strong for Lawrence in the capital. In the big game between the Prison Guards and the Coal Miners the Colliers go in as favourites. But you can’t pick them — Toko (12-) wins if there is any justice in the world.
