Steamers
cruelly denied spot in the semis
14/10/2003 - from the flying keyboard of
Kiwipie
So close and yet so far, we finished 5th 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 7th despite a better win/loss
record than the 3 teams above them.
Anyway 5th 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.
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