A great weekend for sport

Wow... I’ve put on 3 kilos this weekend whilst wedged into the lazy boy.

Friday night featured a sporting clash that has left my remote finger destroyed with the Mighty Mighty Black Caps taking on the Dirty Filthy Cheating ‘Straaalyns at the same time as Dirty Filthy Cheating Canterbury were unconvincingly defeating the Shooorks by a mere 29 points. To be completely honest the remote was only used earlier on in the night whilst the Shoorks were looking likely for an upset but as it looked more and more like the DFC Cantabs were going to win, I was forced into an unhappy situation... I could either watch my beloved Black Caps getting bent over or DFC Canterbury complete a win. The answer I came to prevents me from reporting on the second half of the DFC Canterbury game... it was easier for me to watch the Aussies win the cricket.

So the weekend wasn’t off to the best of starts and I had absolutely no interest in the Brumbies game away to the Stormers. Fortunately this kept the mind free to take part in the most anticipated sporting event of the weekend as the Mighty Mighty A.U.C.C. Iron Maiden 1 Day 4c cricket team convincingly defeated Parnell Grammar in the first match of post season play.

Yours Truly may have had a pint or two more than he should have whilst celebrating The Maiden’s victory and unfortunately has very little to offer in terms of commentary on the Hurricanes / Lions match up. He recalls calling his wife for a lift home, he recalls being lectured all the way home but his recollection of the next hour is a little blurred. Lord Sir Carlos Spencer was on the field when the tele was turned on and he was nowhere to be seen a few minutes later. My assumption is that he was subbed once again by a coach that has no idea what a precious asset he has available to him, but who really knows. What I do recall is that ex-Mighty Mighty Aucklander David Smith had a blinder, Andrew “No point taking the piss out of his name” Hore threw a dummy for a try and the Hurricanes are looking likely to be playing at the pointy end of the season.

The next portion of this commentary is brought to you by MySky – I passed out on the sofa and slept through the live edition. Brisbane put on the sort of tropical night that you don’t see on that stupid new tourism ad – you know the one – the hey, hey this is Queensland, to the tune of the Monkees... man I hate that ad... But I digress...

My poor Mighty Mighty Blues were subjected to a tropical rainstorm but still managed to take part in one of the more exciting matches of the round. As per usual Stephen Bloody Brett gifted the first try to the opposition with Will Genia being the lucky recipient of another Brett cock-up this time around. The MMBs could still have taken a good lead into the half time break but too many missed penalty attempts from S.B. Brett ensured the match was kept closer than it should have been throughout. The highlight of the match was Rene Ranger going straight through seven hapless Reds defenders and smashing over the line in a display of power that had the front row watching in amazement, wishing they had the ability to do that. Needless to say the MMBs picked up a bonus point victory and in doing so took the role of favourites into next week’s match of the tournament so far against DFC Canterbury at the Village of the Damned.

In other matches the Chiefs and even the Highlanders managed wins ensuring that all New Zealand teams and DFC Canterbury were victorious in week 3. Unfortunately the Bulls are still at the top of the table due to a bonus point system that has no place in the game but their bye next weekend should give the Chiefs or the Hurricanes a moment in the sun before the MMBs take their place at the top in week 5.

Just in case this is not enough good news for you – Holden won once again in the V8 Supercars, Italy smashed the Scots in Rome, Arsenal won, Chelsea lost and – probably best of all - England were pipped at the post by a gutsy Irish Rugby team without a concussed O’Driscoll for much of the second half – “He could have died...”.

If you missed Sunday nights T20 match against the DFC ‘Straaalyns you need to give yourself an upper cut - the Mighty Mighty BlackCaps were sensational. Brendon McCullum was a hero with the bat and Tim Southee matched his heroics with the ball. Both men were just good enough to cover for the ineptitude of Jacob Oram and ensure the BlackCaps got over the line in a super over.

Bring on the O.D.I’s and bring on the Phoenix... but most of all bring on DFC Canterbury – Your reign is over lads – step aside and watch the Mighty Mighty Blues steamroll the competition.

Blues for the win!