The wrap
It didn't live up to the pace, suspense and excitement of the semifinals but was a worthy final nevertheless.
Taieri steamed out to an early 10-point lead but you had the feeling it was just a matter of time until Varsity strung some phases together.
Taieri nearly had a bigger lead but was denied by a dubious forward pass call.
The students scored two late tries to lead by seven and the game was as good as over.
They dominated territory and possession in the second half as their lineout and scrum were clearly superior.
What a difference 12 months makes, as Varsity captain Sam Sturgess summed up when accepting the Speight's Shield from Bilbo.
Is it true he threw his first ever pass in the final and Kaide Whiiting got such a shock he dropped it with the line open?
The aftermath
I've never seen such a big crowd in a changing room as after Varsity's win on Saturday.
All the Eels called in for a beer and Varsity hosted in fine style.
Disappointing that the Eels didn't visit the Varsity clubrooms, though, as this is a tradition that must be not lost.
Admittedly, it took Varsity an age to get to its own clubrooms so it may have been pre-arranged.
But take it from me - the best way to win a final is to suck it up the previous year when you lose!
Country wrap
Old Boys won a fifth straight in North Otago - yawn. Clutha beat Heriot by 80 - congratulations but that is a worrying scoreline in a final.
Did only one of the Heriot vans turn up?
In Central - hold the phone - the Maggots got beaten for the first time this year.
Surely it couldn't have happened?
Alex, in its 125th year and a serious birthday since winning, defied all the odds (and my prediction!) to beat the home team by a dodgy late penalty.
My spies tell me the touchies, who are apparently from Alex, are both myopic and the kick missed.
It will go down in the annals of the Alex club and will be its version of the ''Bob Deans try'' - except it counted!
That aside, I hear the Maggots were average and only have themselves to blame.
The Alex men played out of their skins and to the victors go the spoils.
The good news is big Jim didn't have to shout the Valley and the Alex boys made it back to town by Monday morning - not bad for a 40-minute drive starting on Saturday at 6pm!
Alex plays Clutha to determine the best side in the country this weekend.
If Alex has the same two touchies, it will win - just.
Other grades
In premier 2, Varsity will finish top and play either the Magpies or Eastern.
The Sharks will finish second and play the Eels.
It should be a Varsity v Sharks final but
I'm hearing rumours the Eels have been slithering and frollicking about over the past few weeks and reckon they will be too good for the Sharks.
If Grimey was still coaching, I would agree!In premier colts, the Onion and the Magpies are through but the Makos (40), OBHS (38), Varsity (37) and Eels (36) can still make it.
They are all big games this weekend so too close to call.
What a great competition.
In the Southern Wide schools competition, Johnnies and South Otago are through to the final for the ODT Cup with a game to go.
They are on level points so this weekend will determine who gets home advantage.
Johnnies, you owe me, so get it done.
Not that I don't like Balclutha but nobody should have to travel there on a Saturday!
This is it
Remember Roman Abramovich (Lance Spence) was in dispute with the council over the Hawks getting stuck with the power bills for the council-owned changing rooms for five years.
Well, the Russian oligarch has bullied the council into submission and it has agreed to pay Harbour's power bill plus the surrounding neighbourhood's for life - now that's a good deal!
The ODT/Speight's club player of the year awards are on at the aforesaid club on Monday night so get along and bask in the free warmth - I'll see you there.
Till next year.
