Another game, another heart-stopping victory, 5 wins in a row and now a trip to Christchurch for an NPC semi-final.

There were many Bay fans up at North Harbour and I bet most of them had a sinking feeling for the first 20 minutes as we seemed unable to keep hold of the ball and conceded 2 penalties. Usually we have been fast starters this season and most of us in the stand were taking a pessimistic view, the old “I’ve got a bad feeling about this one!”. Things slowly got better though, culminating in the Bay surprising everyone by kicking for touch instead of goal. With a penalty awarded on the goal line, we went to the backs and as the Harbour backs drifted expecting our usual intricate midfield move, Jacko scooted through a gap and was over behind the posts. Suddenly we were ahead 7-6 and right in the game.

4th October 2004. From industrious correspondent Kiwipie

Never mind the quality, look at the points table. 10 points from Northland and Southland and all we have to do is beat Harbour to make the semis. We were hopeful 4 weeks ago that 6 wins would be enough for a semis spot, but the dramatic decline of Otago and Auckland has meant the other teams kept winning as well.

How do I loathe thee? Let me count the ways. (I know it may be taken off one of those teen movies, but who doesn't hate Auckland? They're lucky there's only ten things)...

Well taming is maybe too strong a word, we kept the Taniwha in its place. Just about!

They day started way too early with me and the 2 Mini-Mafia on the road by 8 with a long drive up north. After meeting up with fellow Mafia at the fine establishment of Wendy’s on Auckland’s North Shore, it was just a 2 hour dash to the terraces of Okara Park where we were joined by HoriBOP, just in time as usual.