Results round 3

[Jethro]

Canterbury 46 - 13 Waikato

As expected tha Cantabs had little trouble in disposing of a lack luster Mooloo outfit. Worrying signs for AB and Cantab opponents Dan "the man" Carter is back to his best with a superb display of all facets of backline marshaling Friday night. There must be some concern in the Waikato camp as the team simply had no "go forward" and didn't look all that dangerous to be honest. Either the Cantab swarming defense is better than we think or it's going to be a long season for cowbell ringers.

Southland 23 - 25 Manawatu

First upset of the round saw the Turbos out to a large lead before the Stags clawed their way back into the game. In the final quarter the visitors showed some backbone, usually they leak tries, against Southland to come away with a shock win. Think I mentioned earlier that the Poo are one of the big improvers in 09. Great result for Manawatu but Southland will be wondering what the hell happened as they, along with myself, would have penciled in the points pre-game.

Excellent crowds by the way for the opening night of Round 3, the ANZC is firing this year :bravo:

 

[Jethro]

Otago 29 - 9 North Harbour

Otago got their 2009 session underway at the third attempt with a pretty comprehensive win over Harbour. Take out the third quarter, where Harbour spent most of their time camped in the Otago half with no result and some ill discipline from the locals and it was all one way traffic. Otago were up 22-9 at half time, match over waiting on the fat lady to limber up. A second half try garnered the bonus point for the locals and a pretty quiet plane trip home for the visitors.

 

[Jethro]

Auckland 35 - 13 Northland

Auckland head coach Mark Anscombe called in the cavalry in the form of four All Blacks to help give his side a much needed bonus point win over the Taniwha. The Rocketman was back to his best as the "A" simply went on a search and destroy mission up North. The only bright spot for Northland supporters was a brief period in the second half when it looked like the Taniwha might stage a comeback.

Taranaki 24 - 24 Hawke's Bay

The first draw of the season was a tale of two wrongs not quite making a right as the Naki and Magpies both threatened to lose this match. Naki rear gunner Cameron missed five shots at goal, some of which your Auntie Edna could have slotted, and in the dying minutes with a two man overlap the Naki decided, as you would, to hoof the ball down field and into touch. For their part the Magpies once again decide to allow the opposition some points before rallying in the second quarter to dominate and then go to sleep for large parts of the second half. The alarm bells will be ringing in both camps as both could have taken this match by the scruff of the neck and brought it to heel. Match not helped by a poor exhibit by Ref Nathan Pearce, a bloody aussie, who decided he should share the spotlight and made bad calls both ways.

Bay of Plenty 21 - 17 Wellington

Yes that score is right, having sacked their coach cause two wins in a row isn't good enough, the Steamers turnered around and upset the Lions. The homs side was up 21 - 6 at the half and withstood some second half pressure by the Helengrad blitz to come away with the points. So the upsets continue, anyone want to nominate the final four out of this shambles.

 

[William18]

Well done, to the Bay of Plenty, well deserved win. Hopefully it doesn't affect us next week for the big match up against Auckland.

 

[Jethro]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (William18 @ Aug 16 2009, 09:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Well done, to the Bay of Plenty, well deserved win. Hopefully it doesn't affect us next week for the big match up against Auckland.[/b]

Think Hori BOP surprised everyone with that one.

To finish off massive Mako win over Counties Sunday, not even going there ... ouch for Steelers supporters.