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On a lovely Bay afternoon, the Steamers were more than hospitable to their Chiefs neighbours. Whereas the week before, Wellington raids were sternly repelled by dogged and determined defence, Waikato runners were waved through on repeated occasions in the first half. Only wild passes and ruck turnovers was keeping the Bay in the game despite a solid performance in the setpieces.
Just when it seemed the Mooloo had secured their first try and a 10 point lead, the officials did us a favour and ruled a forward pass that those of us in line hadn't spotted. To rub salt in the wound, the mighty Bay struck with a Delany two-step and the chrome dome twins finished it off. I could tell it was Junior dotting down as he, despite being a half-back, appears much larger on the field than the shaven hooker Pareanga.
Second half and the Bay produced a wonderful team try where it seemed like 14 players handled the ball to put the 15th man, Solomon King, over in the corner. We must have felt guilty with a 14 point lead after playing so poorly and Zar Lawrence allowed their young centre straight through from the restart. Metronomic Mike Delany was not feeling so generous and punished every Waikato indiscretion. Kicks from halfway are looking routine for him now, maybe he needs to extend his range to our 10 metre line.
The scoreboard doesn’t lie and for once the 12,000 basking in the sun were able to relax well before the final whistle and then fill the pitch for the autograph hunting. You may determine that I feel a little sorry for our cowbell shaking friends. Don't be silly, the Fan loved every minute of their defeat and the sight of them propping up the ladder while we look down at them from our lofty peak. Will this result have some effect on the Chiefs squad in 2009? Past history would suggest that it will be long forgotten in two months.
Auckland came so close to stealing the Shield away from Wellington in a game marred by some frankly bizarre refereeing calls. What a Sunday outing it could have been for the Bay, five years and a couple of weeks since the last time we took the Shield from them. Unfortunately it is now just another game and a tricky one at that with the All Blacks coming back for Auckland and a real test for our table-topping Steamers. An Auckland defeat could almost end their top four chances so they will be desperate.
There is always a large crowd of Bay fans exiled in Auckland and keen to see the Bay trip up the city boys. The Fan will be making the trip over the Bombays to join them.
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