The top 6 looks almost done and dusted and there is still five games to go in the regular season. Although with yours truly picking zip from four at the weekend you’ll probably take that with a massive tablespoon of salt!! In the game of the season the Magpies tipped over Varsity with a ‘‘Macca’’ Palmer drop goal in the 82nd minute to retain the much prized Vic Cavanagh trophy. But the word is it was some game and had ‘‘hearts in mouths’’ moments from start to finish. Bottom line Varsity’s undefeated record is no more. In a titanic battle up on the high veldt GI also got it done late with a last minute penalty to flyhalf Isaac McAuliffe much to the chagrin of the Kaik faithful. In the big ‘‘wooden spoon’’ clash between Zingers and AU again the critics were defied when Zingari came back from a 90-point drubbing last week to hold out a luckless AU who just can’t take a trick this year. Even the Zingers faithful couldn’t quite work out how they actually won the game!! Taieri looked like giants taking on a minuscule Sharks outfit who are struggling to put a team on the paddock as the injury toll keeps piling up. This game didn’t help either as they lost their loose forward trio inside 30 minutes of the first half. Taieri are on a roll and only two points out of the lead as the first round winds to a close. The Sharks look done and are consigned to the bottom three — it’s a long time since they didn’t make the six and questions will be asked!!
In the deep South the former mighty Blues club have hit rock bottom when Pirates Old Boys put over 100 on them at the weekend. Let’s hope that was an aberration. In the other big game, Star really gave the Barbarians a run for their money. Everything went to plan in the South with Clutha putting 50 on the colliers from Kai at their 150th weekend. West Taieri also remain unbeaten after dispatching Owaka. My old mates from Clinton got absolutely thumped by Clutha Valley by 70 plus. Interesting to see Matak’s favourite son Dean Sinnamon grabbed four tries in the process. Matak could certainly do with him back in the fold!!
In Central the game of the season was fought out in Wanaka when Upper Clutha held on to the ‘‘White Horse’’ but only just, over a gallant Wakatipu outfit. My spies tell me it was a game for the ages. Arrowtown and Alex registered big wins over the Matak and the Maggots respectively.
The only sanity in the North was provided by Valley who thrashed Athies to remain unbeaten. Old Boys somehow beat Maheno with a last gasp try where defence was optional for both sides. Then to top it off even Excelsior had a win — go figure!!
The 150th in Clutha
My spies tell me the 150th in Clutha was a fantastic affair, much enjoyed by the huge throng of former players and members. They raised close on $60k from the jersey auction and the bar takings were astronomical. The rugby was spectacular and coach Marty Hurring was a much relieved man when his team put 50 on the old enemy Kai. Even the emcee, the inimitable Hunter Darry, was a bit of a highlight.
A bit of help
I hear Southern went out to meet Varsity on Saturday after some stirring speeches from some legends of Magpie rugby, Lozza Mains and Eion Willis (Willow). If that was not enough, Southern, Otago and Highlander lock Tom Franklin was spotted at training passing on tips. They couldn’t help but win — imagine having to face up to old ‘‘funeral face’’ Lozza if they’d lost!!
100 games
Marc Rooney is one of the great Eel stalwarts. Marc is playing his 100th game for Taieri against Varsity this weekend. Marc, a winger played his first Prem game for the Eels in 2015 and is finally bringing up the century 11 years later. You wouldn’t meet a better bloke than Marc, so congratulations on hitting the hundred — good on ya mate.
This weekend
After being crushed by Sidney Fidow last week, redemption is the word of the week when I take on centurion Marc Rooney from the Eels. GI go in as raging hot favourites against the Sharks (12-) but I never pick them, so Dunedin win by a point. AU are at home to Harbour (12-) and they just can’t get it over the line, so the Hawks just. Up on the high veldt, Kaik (13+) take on Zingers and should be too strong. In the big game at the Eelpit, Taieri (12-) are on fire and will severely test an understrength Varsity outfit.
Lost to Roly Willocks last week and fair enough to!! On to Peter Breen from Alex this week, so I’ll bounce back. Wakatipu (13+) will be too strong for Alex in Queenstown. Cromwell (12-) will do enough to remain unbeaten over Arrowtown. In the ‘‘White Horse’’ game, Upper Clutha (13+) will thrash Matak.
