After 18 luckless attempts to claim a piece of wood that doesn’t resemble a wooden spoon, last week, the BoP finally claimed the Ranfurly Shield.

The BoP team and fans had to listen to the media and the general rugby watching public alike, about how the BoP would put up a valiant fight, but fade and lose by in some instances 100 points. We were told that because Auckland had so many ex-All Blacks in their side that we might as well stay behind the Kaimais and go back to work in the Ports, Forests or tourist traps. We were told that beating Auckland last year was a fluke and that it wouldn’t happen again for another decade or so. We were told that the big five S12 unions were untouchable and we would be swept aside.

What they didn’t count on, was the BoP turning up with more passion, more skill, intelligence and teamwork than their more fancied opponents and usurping the NPC champions to take the shield.  This game was always going to our World Cup final, there was no way the boys from the bay were going to have a repeat of 1996.  Sure Pat Lam, talked us up, whilst Vern Cotter talked us down, but the players had been preparing for that moment from a long way out.

One of the guys who would have been most proud, was not able to be with us in body, but you just know Joe Tauiwi was jumping for joy watching down on the boys. R.I.P Joe. One of the stars from our 1996 attempt, who would have laughed when Nili Latu ripped the ball from the Auckland halfbacks hands, trying to put the ball into the scrum without being seen. Unfortunately this time, the ref saw this, but the irony wouldn’t have been lost.

Glen Jackson matched Andy Miller’s record of scoring all four ways in a Ranfurly Shield match, but went one better with a victory with his orchestral conductor like performance. He really is the general of the BoP backline and will be a big loss to NZ rugby not just the bay.

Last year saw BoP really improve as a team based on an incredibly strong forward pack. This forward pack dominated most packs during last years NPC and was the reason our backs had so much decent ball to operate with. That same pack now a lot more experienced are continuing to wreak havoc on this years NPC with the same commitment at set piece time and at the breakdown. They deserve a lot of the credit for any BoP win, and this was no exception.

The shield was in the BoP for the first time and after a major crisis was narrowly averted, through Ian Condon’s underhanded attempt to try keep Colin Bourke, the Steamers had to regroup and face Waikato.

Playing any game against Waikato isn’t easy, especially with John Mitchell coaching. The Waikato supporters once again continued where Auckland left off. They had already won, they just needed to come and take it home.

Just as well the BoP team were there to play rugby, rather than furniture removalists and defended the shield with everything they had. Another fantastic performance from all 22 of our team and another performance that BoP supporters should be proud of.

Well done to the 17000 people who attended Blue chip stadium in the horrible weather to watch the Steamers continue in style, lets see it continue, and not just in Tauranga, but in Rotorua’s only game as well. We are still undefeated at Blue Chip Stadium, it would be incredible to see that continue.

Higher honours escaped most of the BoP squad because we failed to perform to our best, in last years corresponding Chiefs derby clash. Gary Dawson and Ian Foster, carried on from the debacle that was Kevin Greene and continued to pick average Waikato players, who failed to earn their contracts on merit, but rather just on post code.

Call me a cynic, but I'm still waiting for this years excuse, it may be round two but according to Ian Foster and Co, this game last year, was the only match that counted. Pat Melsop better be working on a better marketing jingle to get the BoP crowds to the Chiefs games next year when the probable same player exclusions are made.

What the Bay has achieved has been some great work that was put together from the beginning of last year, as the nucleus to this team, has been together for most of that time. New Zealand rugby supporters and BoP supporters alike should be enjoying every moment of this shield reign, no matter how brief or how long it lasts.

The BoP players don’t care if the players in the teams they play have “token badges” like “S12 player”, or “ex” or “current all black”. Lets face it, a lot of the players that have worn those badges haven’t done their jersey justice and didn’t deserve to wear it in the first place. The BoP team have a lot of pride in their jersey, and play as a team unit not as individuals, they will continue to excel because they believe in each other. So next time, when some Canterbury supporter lets you know how many All Blacks they have, let them know who still holds the shield.

Go the Bay!