Dunedin upset Southern to go 18 straight and stay at the top of the table.
Taieri, even with Big Brad, struggled to get past Varsity at the Eelpit. Alhambra-Union only sneaked home late against a vastly improved Harbour (was it because Super Coach Hurring was away?) at the Barracuda Barrio.
Kaik destroyed a weakening Green Island team. Zingari registered its first win with a comprehensive victory over hapless Pirates.
Judiciary matters
As discussed last week, Sam Collins from the Hawks has appeared before the judiciary and got three weeks for king-hitting James Coutts from Kaik and inflicting 20 stitches in his face.
In light of the previous decision, when 20 weeks were handed down for stomping, does this seem a bit light? In my opinion, yes.
Expensive week
A great story came to light late last week. One of Dunedin's prominent accountants crashed his Ferrari while on a jaunt to his summer residence down the coast.
Bad luck, you may say, but wait, there's more. Later in the week, he was test-driving a brand new Rolls Royce ''Wraith'' (valued at more than $600,000) and, while joy-riding around the car park at ''the firm'', he crashed into the wall.
It rears its head
The infamous Hyde St keg party is on again this weekend.
Even the mention of it apparently strikes terror into the hearts of all colts coaches round the city as they struggle to keep teams on the paddock. Super Coach III (I've lost count) Jimmy Columb Junior from the Onion and ''Waldo'' from the Makos have taken the drastic step of playing their game at the Pony Pit at 3pm today.
Jimmy had offered his boys the opportunity of playing the game on Saturday morning. They told him he was being ridiculous as they would be up at 4am to get ready for a 6am start. Imagine if they took rugby as seriously!
It all happens ...
I had a spy at the Matak-Alex game last weekend. Apparently Alex sent on a replacement midfielder in the second spell who immediately got into a scrap with his opposite number.
Apparently the Alex bench stormed the field to support their man. Needless to say, the Matak lad lost the fight.
The only action taken was the instigator was sent to the bin. Imagine if the Metro boys got hold of that in town. The whole club would be swinging from the yardarm!
... in the country
On a concerning note, there were two defaults in week one, with the two B teams (Cromwell and Upper Clutha) defaulting.
If the story is true, Cromwell rang the Maggots (its opponents) to see if Charlie and Andrew Hore were playing, and then mysteriously defaulted.
Upper Clutha supposedly rang Wakatip to see if they could play the game in Wanaka. The Wakatip boys said - rightly so - it was a White Horse Cup game so it would not be moved.
High-flying Clyde, in its 125th year, takes on the Maggots at home this weekend - this will answer some questions.
In South Otago, Heriot lost to Crescent - unthinkable! Heriot plays Clutha tomorrow and surely it can't lose two from two (I think it happens).
Congratulations to the Maheno lads, who won their first game in two years in North Otago.
By the way, send us your photos of country rugby. Meiks (hayden.meikle@odt.co.nz) is crying out for them.
This weekend
Lost to Snowy last weekend but only because we had the same picks and I magnanimously changed mine.
Up against James Reid, the world's best financial analyst and tennis player, this week, so if I can't win I should retire. Varsity (12-) will beat the Colours at home but I get the faint whiff of an upset.
The Magpies (12-) at home over the Eels - almost too close to call, but Moff finally starts for Southern. The Sharks (12-) go to the Veldt and just tip over Kaik to go top alone.
The Onion (13+) decimate the Spannerheads at the Bronco Pavilion. Harbour (13+), with Seilala Mapusua a surprise inclusion, will be too strong for Pirates at the beach.
Late mail
The Clyde-Earnscleugh 125th is on April 25-27 and there are still a few spots available. Talk to Tim Cadogan. And congrats to Shonap, Pincrusher and Bazz45 for getting the perfect 40 in the picking competition.
What about Wendy and Murray McLachlan running dead last (Snowy is sending a prize)? I'd love to be at the table when they're picking teams!
