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Cowan angered by pesky Ruki |
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Written by The Pluck Admiring Fan in the Stand
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Thursday, 02 October 2008 |
Another game at Baypark and another scrambled victory. This Fan has detected a pattern in 2008. The mighty Bay builds up an unassailable lead which then proves to be completely assailable in the second half. Against Southland our lead was 18 points after 30 minutes but the disintegration of our scrum and lineout saw us camped in our own half for the rest of the game and we were plucky enough - and lucky enough - to escape with the win.
There were three great tries to the Bay, two of them sparked by the twinkling feet of Ruki Tipuna. Ruki ‘s running was driving Jimmy Cowan crazy, he was like a man chasing all over his house trying to swat a fly.
The Bay has played some great rugby this season. Although we haven’t always maintained our best for 80 minutes, 14 players have crossed for tries which illustrates how the whole team has been part of the entertainment. Only Joe Savage and John Moore need to dot down for the regular starting team (including both half-backs) to get on the try-scoring list.
One of the keys to these Baypark victories has been the phenomenal goal-kicking of Mike Delany. After poor place kicking in 2007 and a disaster converting our many tries in the Counties victory, he has been incredibly accurate. Many of his conversions have gone straight through the posts from close to the touchline and he is starting to resemble Lord Glen Jackson in terms of reliability.
A victory over that other Bay on Friday would mean a home quarter-final, but our opponents could be any of five teams at this stage. If we lose and Southland topples Canterbury then we will have to travel to the deep south for an away quarter-final. We can combine a trip to the rugby with a tour of the Invercargill sights. Form an orderly queue please.
I note with a degree of cynicism that Waikato is finding a little form late in the season and will sneak into the top eight. There is even a chance that we will meet them in the quarter-finals. The irrepressible Matthew Cooper manages to be in the commentary team for all of their games and he believes every Mooloo player is having a great game and a wonderful season. Three wins out of nine might suggest otherwise although I am sure the wonderful Mr Foster will be consulting Matt come Super 14 selection time.
The Fan will be in Napier on Friday night to cheer on the mighty Bay. It is time to put that other Bay in its place and take third spot on the ladder. We haven’t lost to them in a meaningful game for a long time and this week is not a good time to break that run. There is nothing worse than being outnumbered by jubilant home fans.
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