Last Thursday the Fan found himself once again battling through strong winds and heavy rain. Yes it was another Bay game and as is now customary, the visitors had brought their own weather. It was a lonely, unpleasant walk along the concourse to the Cake Tin, so lonely in fact that I began to question whether there really was a top rugby game scheduled.

A few pockets of Bay fans were in evidence and in good spirits anticipating that this Wellington team was there for the taking and noting that few of their fans had been motivated to show up.

The first half was dominated by the referee as he worked his way through every technical offence in the law book. At times, Wellington looked like they would grab a try but the Steamers defended well into the wind and then lit up the half with a beautiful backline move. It was 2009 all over again as Delany put Burleigh through a gap and Ben Smith was on his shoulder to run around Apoua Stewart and slide over.

A seven point half-time lead was quickly doubled as Cory Aporo waltzed through untouched. When Aporo runs hard and straight, he always causes problems for defences. Just when the game should have been comfortable, Wellington showed some quality in broken play and suddenly the Bay had just a two point lead.

Two pieces of drama in the right hand corner eventually decided the game. Retallick intercepted and galloped towards the try line like a hunted giraffe. Unfortunately the giraffe was cut down by a Lion.

There had been over 70 minutes without a Flash moment but when it arrived it was well worth the wait. Alby Mathewson is no slouch and looked to have Flash covered but Masaga left him grasping at air. It was like a Jaguar pulling away from a boy racer’s Nissan at the traffic lights.

The passage of play after the final hooter was heart-stopping. The Bay pounded the line in search of a bonus point with the threat of a Wellington break-out to level the scores.

Culum Retallick and Luke Andrews have been superb in recent weeks in the second row. Retallick looks back to his best after appearing a little stale towards the end of a long Chiefs season while Andrews has been a great acquisition given John Moore’s long absence. Combined with Pareanga’s throwing accuracy, our line-out has been wonderful to behold. The Fan apologises for mentioning it every week but a dominant line-out has been rare for the Bay in recent years.

So onto Sunday and the potential banana skin of a trip to play thirteenth placed Tasman. The Bay is now playing well enough to come back with five points and it goes without saying that a win is vital for any chance of a semi-final spot.