The wrap
Taieri stayed in the game, however, on the radar-like boot of Josh Casey (what's with the Josh thing?).
The second half was a pulsating affair with both sides displaying plenty on attack and defence.
Adam Knight and Josh Larsen were outstanding for their respective sides.
But my abiding memory will be Southern fullback Bryce Hosie stooped in despair after missing eight shots at goal.
I'm still shaking my head that the Magpies didn't win this game but full marks to the Eels - they stayed in the contest, kicked the points and go to their fifth final on the trot.
Varsity v Harbour was the match of the season and it went down to the wire.
Harbour's discipline and dumb rugby cost it the game.
It gave up seven penalties inside the first eight minutes. Matt Faddes was Varsity's go-to guy.
Hawks halfback Tala Fagasoaia was their best and kept them in it (did he do enough to crack Otago?) and Sala Halaleva out wide looked a player of immense promise.
Varsity held its nerve and kept the big Harbour pack at bay.
I can't help feeling, though, the two best sides this year blew it!
The final
The same two finalists as last year, when Taieri won by 50, so what has changed?
Taieri is probably not as strong as it was but the big question is if Varsity has come of age.
Josh Dickson, Dillon Hunt and Jack Wolfreys were very good up front against Harbour, Faddes has been the best back this year, and Gavin Stark is a weapon out wide but he still needs to back himself a bit more.
The Taieri pack is full of grafters, well led by Larsen, Charlie O'Connell and Kurt Webster.
The Eels struggled at scrum time against Southern and prop Aki Seiuli is out this week.
Casey is a point-scoring machine but the backline tends to drift across the field.
Michael Collins is the key man and he needs to straighten the attack.
Varsity has more weapons but it will come down to one or two key moments.
We know Taieri can take them but the big question is: can Varsity?
Country finals
I picked Old Boys at the start of the year and even though the Oamaru scribes are giving Excelsior a chance, it doesn't happen.
The machine is too big, too strong.
I picked Clutha at the start of the year and although Heriot is the strongest challenger, Clutha is the behemoth that can't be shifted.
I predicted a Maniototo-Alex final at the start of the year and this has transpired.
Even though my sources tell me Alex is up for it, the Maggots go through the season unbeaten and Stonehenge will be rocking Saturday night.
The word is ''Big Jim'' is shouting the valley - make sure you call in!
The Form XV
As usual, I've been running a Form XV on Rugby Chat all year so here is the most consistent XV of the year in Dunedin club rugby. -Tony Ensor (K), Sala Halaleva (H), Matt Faddes (V), Aleki Morris (H), Gavin Stark (V), Josh Casey (T), Kaide Whiting (V), Mika Mafi (S), Josh Clark (P), Adam Knight (S), Mark Grieve-Dunn (D), Hale T-Pole (H), Craig Millar (P), Pete Mirrielees (H), Hisa Sisagi (P).
I know what you're saying - Mirrielees hasn't played hooker all year.
I know, but that means I haven't been impressed with what I've seen.
I haven't picked Adam Knight all year, possibly because I don't like Southern.
Or is it because, after watching the semifinal, I may have got it wrong?
The Otago team
It gets named next week so I thought I'd see how close I'd get. This isn't the team I'd pick but what I'm assuming Cory Brown will pick.
Forwards: Sasagi, Millar, Seuili, Brighouse, Coltman, Anderson-Heather, Hemopo, Latta, Dickson, O'Connell, Lentjes, May, Mafi, Dawai, Hunt, Teu.
Backs: Renton, Whiting, Breen, Smith, Walden, Collins, Spence, Tomkinson, Stark, Faddes, Jack Wilson, Ensor.
They will probably name Coltman captain. I doubt I'll be far away.
The debacle
As previously discussed, this bottom five competition has turned out to be the joke it was always going to be.
Pirates didn't play last week and in the other game the Zingari backs played in the forwards (went pretty well, apparently!) and vice versa.
For a bunch of well-meaning but slightly deranged ''club heavies'' - the Metro committee - to come up with this concept late last year without discussing it with their coaches and players beggars belief.
Cease and desist immediately, I say - the joke has worn thin.
When I'm doing the dreaded report card next week, it will be judged on placings as they stood at the end of the round robin.
We had the foresight to exclude the bottom five from our tipping competition and we did not award points for player of the year to these games.
The other bits
All-conquering St Andrew's is unbeaten in the Crusaders schools competition and beat Christchurch Boys' the other day.
But they turned up to play ''Johnnies'' a few weeks ago when the big snow was on and refused to play because it was too cold! Really?
The soccer teams played and the Johnnies First XV gave true vent to their feelings when they stripped off and did a big haka to support the soccer boys.
Speaking of Johnnies, Seveci Nakailagi - who played in their midfield last year - has been recruited to Montpellier along with Brumbies Jesse Mogg and Nic White.
They must think he's got talent - obviously we didn't!
This weekend
I just keep on losing, and to Craig Cumming this time! Up against a Taieri legend this weekend in Kenny Whitson so I will go five straight.
Varsity (12-), if they take that chance and don't choke.
