Led by the flying Lats (that's Nili and Tanerau), our forwards caused Wellington trouble at the breakdown all night. In Radio Sport Land, the phrase used was ``slowing down Wellington ball'' as if we are actually obliged to allow them quick ball!

It is now time for the backline to rise to the occasion, especially on attack now that the defence has been tightened up. North Harbour comes to Blue Chip on Saturday night and their win over Taranaki makes this a must win game for the Bay if we want to make the top three and a chance to take on the big guns.

The last critical game we played against Harbour was on their patch in 2004. There can never be another day like the Shield victory at Eden Park but the 14-9 win over Harbour came very close to that level of elation. The Bay made the semifinals for the first time, the winning try courtesy of Charlie Hubbard's low-level scurry right in front of us. This was followed by the traditional 20 minutes of defending the Bay line against wave after wave of Harbour attacks. At full time, the Harbour fans melted away to reveal a huge following for the Bay dispersed all around the stadium. What a fantastic day.

My selective memory also recalls a home win over Harbour in 2003. On a windy and wet afternoon, Harbour ran everything in the second half despite having the wind behind them and Sir Glen Jackson used his expert meteorological instincts to keep them pinned back.
The Fan in the Stand briefly became the Fan under the Stand when the heavens opened. The covered Truman Road stand may be very popular on Saturday night.

Five more reasons for Bay fans to be cheerful ...
* We have scored six more points than Hawke's Bay.
* The line out resembled a well-oiled machine (most of the time).
* Jeff Ierome causes serious damage in the midfield.
* John Pareanga looks like he can step into the large shoes of Aleki Lutui.
* Jonah may be in the Harbour 22 on Saturday.

With thanks to the Bay of Plenty Times