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.

Most important of all, don’t get too hopeful in the lead-up to a shield game. At work, keep a low profile. Don’t even remember that the game is happening till last thing Friday afternoon. Tell yourself that you might switch the radio on at about four o’clock – but only if you remember. Plan to do other things.