The Sharks continue to dig themselves into a big hole and are now staring at not making the six. It looks like a shootout with Harbour for the final spot. Kaikorai did enough in the first spell out at the Sandpit to deny Dunedin the chance of catching them. Just an aside, midfielder from Kaikorai Meihana Grindlay (Lander) was outstanding. Dunedin only have themselves to blame as they turned over possession at crucial times through sloppy handling and errant passing. Varsity did enough to hold off AU with a six try performance to now lead the comp by six points. But my spies tell me AU had the winning of this game but just couldn’t get it across the line. Varsity nailed all six of their conversions and AU none. Then we hit the blowout, Taieri putting on 92 points and winning by 80 over Zingari-Richmond. Things are not going well at Zingers, they've got a few injuries and they have pulled their Prem 2 side out of the comp. They also are not running a prem colts side this year. All the money they put in a couple of years ago seems to have hurt them rather than help them. Southern went out to Harbour, trailed by seven at halftime and put on 20 unanswered points in the second spell to put themselves into a share of third with Kaikorai. A little note of caution: Southern and Harbour have yet to have the bye in the first round. Harbour, after a promising start, are starting to struggle and discipline is hurting them to boot. Varsity seem assured of winning the Gallaway and either Dunedin or Harbour could be staring into the abyss, while the “dreaded spoon” question could be answered this weekend when Zingers take on AU at Bastion Point.
In the deep South, the Barbarians are the only unbeaten side after accounting for Blues, who are yet to register a win. In the other clash of note, Pirates Old Boys beat Woodlands in a tight one to retain second place to put a margin on the rest of the field. At this stage it looks like a Barbarians v POB final.
In the South, Clinton, on their 140th weekend, were better and tripled their try tally but still lost to their old mates from Owaka — lads you’re getting closer and I can smell the upset coming. West Taieri did enough to remain unbeaten after accounting for Lawrence at Gabriels Gully — they still sit top of the pile with Clutha. The prison guards from Toko locked up the Colliers from Crescent and threw away the key. The battling “Hatfields and McCoys” from Clutha Valley and Heriot went toe to toe, with Valley prevailing.
In the clash of the titans, the Cromwell Goats unbelievably were too good for Upper Clutha at home to sit atop the Nevis alone — great work. Wakatipu remain in the fight, storming home to beat the Maggots and Alex were too good for Matakanui.
In the North, Valley remain unbeaten after squeaking home with a last gasp penalty to beat a revitalised Maheno outfit. And hold the phone — even Excelsior and Kurow had wins. What a weird comp.
Rumblings from Central
The Arrowtown Bulls had a terrible season last year, but have had a renaissance this season with a close loss to Wakatipu in super round, then thrashing Alex by close to 50. Well, not really, because they were stripped of their points from that game after a complaint they played unregistered players. The scuttlebutt is the Bulls are very unhappy with that outcome as they thought the two players were coming in from outside the area and they had started the registration process and everybody else has the same issues with player shortages, so let’s carry on. Turns out it could have been three players and the Union hadn’t been consulted so they felt they had no other choice. Lads, I feel for you, but communication is the key. But whatever we think, the return encounter between Arrowtown and Alexandra will be super charged, I’m thinking — it'll be a must see.
Other grades
So whats happening in the other grades after a few rounds? In P2’s, Kaikorai and Taieri have gapped the field, but nobody is unbeaten. In Seniors, Pirates and Eastern are the only unbeaten teams. In Prem Colts, Varsity Blue are the only unbeaten side, with Kaikorai in second spot. In Junior Colts, because of grading games there has only been two actual rounds. However, there are only two unbeaten teams: the AU Mustangs and the Dunedin Bulls. In Prem Women’s the Dunedin Ururoa are the only unbeaten side and already have a points diff of +226 after three games. Varsity are next best.
To be fair, it’s early days in some of these grades as they didn’t get under way till late April.
This weekend
Oh the shame of it — losing to Southern halfback Wilson Driver last week. Disgraceful. But I’m back on the horse taking on his first XV (Kings) mate Sidney Fidow from Kaikorai, who also banged out 100 games for Kaikorai this year, so a win is assured. In the battle for the infamous “spoon”, AU head up to the cemetery to take on Zingers. On current form AU (13+) should dismantle Zingers to record their first win. Up on the high veldt, Kaikorai (12-) are defending the “plateau” against GI. There will be nothing in this, but Kaikorai should have Grindley in the backline for the Vic Cavanagh holders and he is a bona fide matchwinner. Southern are at home to Varsity (12-). Again too close to call, but I’ll stick with the undefeated bookends, just. Out at the sandpit the rudderless Sharks are wallowing in the surf and the slithering Taieri Eels will be brimming with confidence. But I can’t pick them and Dunedin (12-) pull off a miracle.
In the country, I destroyed Blue from Upper Clutha (predictable) with a draw. On to Clutha life member Roly Willocks this week, so I’ll chalk up another win. In the big game, Clutha (13+) dish up the enemy “Kai” from Crescent in a “bath”. The prison guards from Toko (13+) will be all over Heriot in the prison yard. Clutha Valley (12-) at home will beat my boys from Clinton, but we’ll keep them honest. Owaka are at home to West Taieri Pigs (13+) and sadly this only goes one way.
