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MAFIA TEES
Just $20 a shirt, a steal!
Not often you steal from the Mafia and live to tell the tale...
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Lord Jacko looms large over Bay heroics |
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Written by The Chiefs-selecting Fan in the Stand
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Thursday, 21 August 2008 |
BOTH of the regular readers of this column will know The Fan is a big fan of Glen Jackson.
Maybe not so much a fan as a worshipper, devotee and loyal subject of his Superior Lordship.
Anyway, His Highness Jacko was a master of the fickle Baypark wind and would no doubt have enjoyed himself hugely on Saturday afternoon.
I sensed his presence during the first half and I like to think the violent ice storm after 30mins was due to his anger at the Bay squandering so many chances and the game being locked at 7-7.
It looked like a 15-point wind and even Solomon King's try at the end of the half didn't appear enough.
Sir Glen's powers should not be underestimated though. At halftime, the gale transformed itself into a gentle zephyr and the Bay came out with a purpose and soon raced to a decisive 21-point lead. Or rather it should have been decisive had we not become charitable towards our guests North Harbour and donated them a couple of tries.
In the end, it needed the try of the match to win the game _ Zar Lawrence plucking a pass off his toes and carving up, with Luke Braid and Colin Bourke in support to finish the job.
For the benefit of Mr Foster, I am compiling his Chiefs squad for 2009, just in case he wasn't taking notes at the game. I'll start with the loose forwards _ Tanerau Latimer, Bourke and King. They must be certainties, although I do cede that is a naïve view to hold given the history of the Chiefs.
That Messam chap can provide cover along with Lauaki, although Luke Braid wouldn't look out of place at Super 14 level. There are rumours that Ian Foster will be joining the Ospreys. There you go, Jamie Nutbrown _ another reason to stay with the Steamers.
Wasn't it great to see the stands looking full again? There were traffic problems getting to the game, traffic problems after the game and issues with the food stalls but these are good problems to have. Credit is due to everyone involved in bringing the Bay back to this point.
Our next opponents, Northland, have lost their premier status and the Bay can't have been far from being in the frame for demotion, given our financial problems.
It will be a fiery atmosphere up in Whangarei tomorrow night. There is understandable anger from the local fans, rumours of a pre-match demonstration and, hopefully, that doesn't inspire their players to heroic feats.
Another win would take us reasonably close to a quarterfinal place and a chance to dream about a top-four finish and a home playoff.
Go the Bay!
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Buy "If Only No More" |
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Steamers 2009 |
| : Air New Zealand Cup |
| Position: 7 |
| 31 July: Northland, W 19-14 |
| 9 Aug: Counties, W 32-9 |
| 15 Aug: Wellington, W 21-17 |
| 22 Aug: Waikato, W 32-16 |
| 30 Aug: Auckland, L 14-29 |
| 5 Sep: Canterbury, W 19-17 |
| 11 Sep: Southland, L 12-19 |
| 17 Sep: Tasman, W 24-13 |
| 26 Sep: Otago, L 17-26 |
| 2 Oct: Hawke's Bay, L 19-22 |
| 10 Oct: Harbour, L 7-28 |
| 16 Oct: Manawatu, W 28-27 |
| 25 Oct: Taranaki, L 24-30 |
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