Up in the coaching boxes, Bay boss Kevin Schuler will either be rattling his rosary beads in delight, or Wellington assistant Andre Bell will be dancing a quiet jig, his cheeky grin on his face.

They'll deny it, of course, but there's a little bit of bile between the two. Two years ago, Bell was coaching the Steamers with Schuler his assistant.

When Bell baulked during his Bay contract negotiations, in swept Schuler - eventually - to take over the team, tumbling to a horrible 13th place last year but rebounding well with a proper off-season to prepare.

The Bay Badger, of course, hopes that Herb's henchmen have rampaged all over the meek and mild Lions, turning the competition on its ear.

But a small part of me wouldn't mind Bushy Bell's smiling dial lighting up either.

This is sport, after all, and the winner takes all.

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Let's hope the Bay boys stayed off the seafood this week.

Apparently a bad dose of Brynderwyn Belly hit the team before their game with Northland last Friday night and several had to chose between jock straps and adult nappies as a run-on option.

We're not saying Northlanders will try anything to dirty the Bay's winning streak - but Kamo Suzy was spotted sailing into Tutukaka late on Thursday.

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As of a day or so ago, Bay halfback Jamie Nutbrown still hadn't signed off on his mid-season departure for Wales, although teammates have been told next week's game against Otago will be his last.

Ruki Tipuna was also spotted at Bay training this week, getting his liver back into shape after a memorable bus trip recently. But could Nutty's reluctance have anything to do with a certain Chiefs coach heading up to Wales to spend some quality time with Ospreys?

I'll check with my Welsh cousin - the Valley Vole - and see what he comes back with.

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Each week, Bay Development players have to bring an item in their kit bags to the game, which they present to manager Bruce Gordon (Plod) or face a fine.

One week the players had to bring a potato.

This week it's a boiled egg - but last week's secret treasure was a woman's bra.

That may explain half-a-dozen burly blokes blitzing into the nearest Bendon outlet in Taupo last week.

Either that, or Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Road, had taken a wrong turn with "her" entourage.