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Steamers Fan : James Penniall |
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It’s a good question actually, one I ask myself from time to time considering the Bay's success (or lack there-of) on the rugby field, as an old saying goes though “Blood is thicker than water” and certainly for me the blue and gold blood running through my vein’s has kept through many a time of deluge.
My first memories of the Bay were when I was a very young nipper, where I think I supported them because I liked the colour of the jerseys!! I remember grand moments like when we beat Australia and a young Damon Kaui stepping his way past a certain David Campese to score a memorable try. I also remember the not-so-grand moments that are somewhat numerous, and the mind-boggling inconsistency that saw us one week beat Canterbury to pull ourselves out of relegation into a relegation play-off game. Then losing that play-off game to King Country - which remains the only sporting occasion that I’ve cried over though I’m sure being at the young and tender age that I was a number of performances since by certain WC All Blacks teams would have registered a similar reaction. In all I’ve remained a loyal supporter, even through the dark ages in division 2 I always kept hoping and waiting for a triumphant return to the first division and witnessing a glorious moment in BOP rugby history – like when we beat Auckland in the NPC last year to retain an unbeaten home record sparking certain scenes of jubilation amongst us BOP Mafia supporters never before seen at Baypark stadium correlated with lines of praise towards certain BOP players that caused our girlfriends utmost concern and worry… I guess at the end of the day I was born and bred in the Bay and this rugby fan wont change his spots after all, who knows when our glorious reign with the Ranfurly Shield is due to begin…
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