In the big game, the Stags just weren’t quite good enough.
The Magpies went out to a solid lead and Southland clawed their way back but never got close enough and a late try to the Bay gave them a flattering 14-point margin.
In the big upset, Otago rolled Auckland. Nobody was at the game, but this was Otago’s best performance in three years and conversely Auckland were awful. Tasman were too strong for fellow Crusaders Canterbury, but we all saw this coming. Wellington were dead and buried at halftime but stormed back to defeat Taranaki in atrocious conditions in the other big game. All the other results were predictable.
Jo from Deep South Glass put the blokes to shame with a 17-point haul to storm to the top of the table by 3 points from Simon from "GJ’s".
There is a cluster of three in third.
Our old mate Grant from Carpets & Drapes is five points last and has work to do but it’s early days. Sean from Bayley’s crashed and burned and went from first to second last with a meagre total of 10!! Disappointing that not one tipster picked their beloved neighbours Otago! Then again, in the Otago Comp, only four of 20 picked the home team up there, so don’t feel too bad.
So what happens this weekend?
Hawke's Bay (12-) are at home to Northland on Friday night night and should get it done.
Counties host Tasman (13+) and the South Auckland mob haven’t troubled the scorers yet and probably won’t again.
Auckland are at home to Canterbury and both sides have been decidedly average so far. Auckland (12-) just, in a battle of the "also rans".
Taranaki (12-), I’m afraid, might just get it done at Rugby Park over the Stags, but I hope I’m wrong.
BOP (12-) have been the surprise packet for me and they may just catch Otago on the hop at the Greenhouse.
Wellington (13+) will trash Manawatu at home, take it to the bank.
North Harbour are at home to Waikato and it’s too close to call, as neither have been overly impressive so far. Waikato (12-) just but with no real conviction.
In the first game of the next round on Wednesday (August 28) Canterbury host Hawke's Bay (12-) and I have a sneaking suspicion the Ranfurly shield holders will tip over the Red & Blacks.
Good luck tipsters.
- By Paul Dwyer
