Dunedin was too strong for Alhambra-Union at the Donkey Dish despite ''Kaned'' McBride, the Canterbury ref, caning the Sharks in the penalty count.
Taieri was too strong for Kaik at the Veldt and is further in front than Barker and Team New Zealand. Southern got home late against Varsity to confirm second spot.
I said Green Island would win one soon and it delivered over injury-struck Pirates. GI wheeled out Dean Moeahu and coach Motu Hutch, and Andrew (The Fridge) Walsh took over the reins as coach - perhaps there is a lesson in there?
Harbour kept its season alive with a bonus-point win over Zingari, and the Hawks are the only realistic threat to Varsity and Dunedin's top four aspirations.
Picking and choosing
I hear Super Coach III (Marty Hurring) and Hawks supremo Bruce Carvell were less than impressed when ref Chris Hart was allocated to their game against the Colours at Bastion Point.
Apparently it stems back to their game against the Onion, where Harty sent five Hawks off. They tried to get the appointment changed but Welcome Back Kotter Thompson told them to go away.
From all accounts, the Hawks were on their best behaviour at the weekend and the game passed without incident.
Speaking of refs
Central Otago could be back in the news. A little bird tells me the Central referees are considering strike action in the coming weeks. The refs are supposed to get paid mileage to enable them to attend games.
For the past couple of years, because of the parlous state of the Otago Rugby Football Union's finances, the referees' association has been funding this. This year, the tab was supposed to be picked up by the Central board and the ORFU, but no money has changed hands. The word is strike action is being considered where the refs will have a training day rather than attend games.
New owners for Highlanders
I see Doug Harvie has stepped down as chairman of Otago rugby to facilitate the partial sale of the Highlanders.
The rumour is he could be spending time brushing up on his Japanese. The Panasonic club is being bandied about as a potential owner and this makes sense with the Browny and Tanaka connection.
I hear former Otago player and currently part-time Crusader George Whitelock is heading that way. Panasonic could re-direct him back to the Highlanders - the mind boggles! Does Panasonic wear a green jersey, too?
Bottom line, we are looking to Asia - you heard it here first.
Odds and sods
I hear the Hawks' ground is out due to smell and being a health risk. The Pony Pit is not far behind.
I hear a bunch of former Dunedin premier 2 boys arrived down for the test and a bit of a reunion and couldn't get any accommodation, so they bought a student flat for the weekend for $1000. I wonder if the landlord got a cut?
What was all the drama over the streaker and the crash-tackling security guard? What Terry Davies should have been checking was the video of which security guard let the streaker on in the first place and fire him. That will teach him for using a Christchurch outfit.
Speaking of the test, England had a squad of 78 people here - 47 players and 31 heavies. The word is they bought their own architect, plumber and sparky!
I hear the refs are gunning for Pirates colts coach Shane Parata for being over-exuberant on the sidelines. Peter Mirrielees played his 150th at the weekend.
And finally, I made a howler of a speech at the media function on Friday night, describing ''journos'' as overpaid and under-worked. To Bilbo and his team at Speight's, profuse apologies.
The punting comp
It is on Sunday at the Shiel Hill Tavern at 1.30pm. It's $200 for a team of four, and at least seven clubs are in so far. Get your entries to Tony Cutler (thehillrestaurant@gmail.com) as soon as possible.
This weekend
Destroyed the rapidly ageing Dave Underwood last week and on to yet another under-performing radio hack, Callum Proctor. Southern (13+) should beat Zingari in a canter. Varsity (13+) will be too strong at home over Kaik.
The Eels (13+) will consign the Onion to the middle four at the Eelpit. The Sharks (13+) will have too many incisors for the Pirates boys. The Hawks (13+) should comfortably account for the Spannerheads at the Toolbox.
- paul.dwyer@alliedpress.co.nz
