There you go, 9000 screaming fans, four seasons in one day, riveting rugby, and, yes, another win.  Although it was just against the easy beats of the Air New Zealand Cup, North Harbour...

Isn't it amazing how little marketing you have to do when your team is kicking some serious arse, and doing it with some sparkling rugby to boot.

And where is it all starting?  With a flying squad loose trio that at this stage of the season, should all be shoe-ins for the Chiefs.  Unless the Chiefs coach (145 game WAIKATO veteran Ferret Foster) goes with those super effective loosies Harding and Lavea (or whatever his name is, the Wellington wonderkid.  The only wonder is how he landed a professional rugby contract at the moment).  Waikato must be kicking themselves that they didn't poach some decent players to go with fellow Bay boy Liam Messam.  Liam himself must be wondering what to do too at the moment, with Waikato WINLESS in the Air New Zealand Cup at then moment.

So a quick memo to Ferret.  Loose forwards, Bay of Plenty have three that should be in the Chiefs, instead of the piss poor imports you got last season - that bugger from Canterbury too - Hopwood or Hopgood, Hayden.  What the hell was he there for?  Look inside the franchise first for f*@#'s sake before getting journeymen from else ware (something Waikato could look at too - Harding has been ditched from Wellington and Harbour too, before finding a home with Mooloo)...

Perhaps Ferret needs to realise that if he keeps doing the same thing each season, he'll keep getting the same results.  Take a leaf out of the Bay's books.  Get the lads fit, get a simple game plan going, and let rip!  Isn't there a saying along the lines of only an idiot keeps doing the same thing in the same way, but expects different results...?

Enough revelling in Dirty Scumbag Waikato's inability to win a foot race with a snake, let alone a rugby match.  Did you know they are North Harbour are the only two sides in this season's Air New Zealand Cup to not have won a first class match?  Well, you do now...

Now enough revelling in DSW's misfortunes.

North Harbour dispatched once again, 38-31.  Another five point victory, and second place on the points table, behind Wellington.  not much more you could ask for.  Except perhaps when you hit 28-7 ahead you don't let the opposition back into the game, as it is too hard on the fans, and the moaning from Hori Bop on the sidelines gets too much to take!!

Although, on that matter, great to have the big man back.  Some may say it is just coincidence that the Steamers are winning again this season, and Hori is back on deck.  That will be the non believers.  The huge wind that the Bay played with in the first spell last weekend, and that was gone in the second spell?  I lucky fluke, again, no.  You might have noticed the big man down sideline in the second spell.  And as Hori's mass is such that he generates his own gravity field, so too does he generate his own weather patterns...  Yet another secret weapon at BayPark...

As for the game.  OK.  No, hang on.  Jamie Nutbrown buggering off to Wales soon by all accounts.  Well, not all doom and gloom.  One Ruki Tipuna played in the curtain raiser for the Bay development side, and the little fella was on fire.  Sharp passes, sniping runs, clever kicks.  He had the whole bag of tricks on display.  So once Nutty takes off to cash his retirement cheque, bring on Ruki.

Right, the game.  We won.

Why?  Loose forwards.  Latimer at last living up to the reputation that has preceded him.  At the moment, with a blue and gold eye patch on, I think there is one number seven in New Zealand that is better than him, and he wears black, and has a little (c) beside his name.  Backing him up Solomon King and Colin Bourke.  Both at last providing week in and week out quality play.  Bourke especially revelling in the ELV's with his kicking game.

Why?  Tight forwards.  They might not be the biggest, the meanest and the ugliest, but by hell, they are all heart.  The scrum was bent and battered this week, but third string hooker Dean Elmiger led from the front with some meaty runs and hard work in the tight.  Once again ably supported by James McGougan and replacement prop Arden David-Perrot (thank heavens for cut and paste) who were into everything.  Joe Savage would have been proud, and will be, if he can remember anything from the game.  Locks Moore and Rettalick (who and who).  Two journeymen, but honest toilers who have been good value this season.

Why?  The blouses.  Delany bossing the show and looking better and better in ten this season (at last slotting some goals too - 100% this week).  Hunt at second five, Aporo at centre - it's all looking good at the moment from 9 through to 15 - although Zar's kicking game off his off foot needs a bit of work.  I've seen better kicks from jellyfish than one of his second half efforts...

And that was the week that was.  Great win, great crowd, what more could you ask for.  Well, apart from perhaps more food outlets open and better traffic control after the game...

Bay of Plenty Steamers 38 (Solomon King 2, Colin Bourke 2, Zar Lawrence, tries; Mike Delany pen, 5 con & pen) North Harbour 31 (Chris Smylie, Josh York, Richard Mayhew, Viliame Waqaseduadua tries; Jimmy Gopperth pen, 4 con). Halftime: 14-7.

This weeks points go to Captain Latimer and his two lieutenants Bourke and King, in that order.  Honourable mentions to Delany and David-Perrot.

So points please Miss Ford?

Bourke, Latimer 5; Nutbrown 3; Pareanga 2; Delany, McGoughan, King 1.

Thank you Miss Ford.