So close and yet so far, we finished 5^th in the NPC table ahead of Southland due to an extra bonus point and behind Auckland as they had amassed 3 more than us. Auckland can thank that ridiculous no defence game against Wellington for 2 of those points, if I had my way (and with my Mafia connections I might!) I would stop all bonus points for losing teams. So Auckland managed to finish within 7 of the mighty Bay, does that justify their semi-final placing? I can even feel sorry for Canterbury who were 7^th despite a better win/loss record than the 3 teams above them.

Anyway 5^th was at least 4 places higher than any of us expected at the start of the season so unreserved congratulations to the team. I managed to miss the first 10 minutes of the game on Saturday night through having to fit some family stuff between rugby games but when I turned on, it looked a bit grim for the Bay. They were conceding territory and possession as per the Waikato game. However the big difference this time was that when they did get their hands on the ball, they cut the Southland defence to shreds. It was the best backline performance I have seen in a long time, not as individuals but as a unit, great planned moves, great support play and Jackson pulling the strings like the God he is. The forwards were into everything as well, the front rowers prominent and McMilland, Latu and Ormond causing havoc everywhere.

With a late first half try we levelled the score at 24-24 and the second half was tight until Latu was binned for a gentle push on Thug Miller who was dancing like a Cossack on somebody’s back (out of frustration, not because the ball was anywhere near). So down to 14 men, you would have thought that maybe we would shut up shop, play the percentages etc etc. Jackson must have spotted something though because 2 perfect kicks (the first aided by a nice bounce) opened up Southland and suddenly the game was safe. To see McQuoid gather the ball and sprint away for his try was to behold a thing of beauty, I was almost moved to poetry unbefitting of a hardened Mafia personage.

“The regal Jackson placed the kick
The dashing McQuoid was slippery-slick”...
But then I realised I was stealing lines from Hairy McClary.

The rest of the game was just pure pleasure crowned by the traditional Bay “big man carrying defenders over the line” try. Over 50 points and Southland’s dreams of the semi-finals just so much flotsam on the beach.