The BOP Wasps (all BOP players except those on other duties such as Super 14, Sevens, NZ Maori or Under 20 World Cup) played a game last week and this week. Mulch on the Mafia forum had this to say about the game against the Waikato Harlequins :-

36-20 to the Wasps. Tries to Colin Bourke, Lance MacDonald, Hayden Baird, Cory Aporo and a few others. Ruki Te Puna kicked 3 conversions.

Today the Wasps played the Hawkes Bay Saracens in Rotorua. The Hawkes Bay side was pretty strong, containing most of their successful 2007 team. Here is Snollygoster, again from the Mafia Forum.

Saracens(Hawkes Bay)  61 - Wasps 15 (BOP) 45

Have just got back from the game and thought some of you might like the result. Twas a game of two halves really.....Hawkes Bay won the first half  47-26 and BOP won the second 19-14.

It is less than 4 years since our Ranfurly Shield win and NPC semi-final appearance and we have now lost all of the starters of August 15, 2004 as well as most of the bench.

According to press reports, both Simms Davison and Ben Castle have signed to play in France.

Seasoned watchers of the game believe Luke Braid has a 35-year-old rugby brain trapped in a 19-year-old body.

That old head, perched on developing shoulders, is about to be enriched further with his third overseas foray in as many years representing his country, with New Zealand about to kick off the inaugural IRB under-20 World Cup.

Braid emerged as one of the stars of the New Zealand under-19 team's victorious World Cup campaign last year, though he has no delusions about the under-20s campaign, which starts on Friday in Wales against Tonga.

"It's my third one, but I think it will be the hardest of all," Braid said.

Bruce Cameron wasn't one to turn the cheek on the rugby field.

The former Eastern Districts prop admits he played a part in the almighty stoush that erupted between Bay of Plenty and the touring Lions at Rotorua's International Stadium in 1983.

"I had seen a bit of illegal activity by the opposition," is the retaliator's modern-day take on the brawl which typified the days of not taking a backward step and protecting your mates.

Cameron, 49, is a savvy street fighter, equally at home on the land or in the board room.

Born in Te Puke, educated at Kings College, his first job was as a shepherd in Gisborne.