ANZC round six.....

[Jethro]

Hawke's Bay 11 - 38 Auckland

Round six started with new kids on the block the Hawkeye Guys taking on the "A" team. The result was a gimme, but on the bright side of the orange tray the score didn't blow out.

In front of a sell out McLean park crowd HB got zero ball, defended like Torjans, and got the last word with an intercept try to have Bay fans bringing the house down.

Auckland simply too professional for the locals, and deserving their full five points.

Counties Manukau 18 - 33 Wellington

The Lions got their season back on track with a smash and grab raid up Steeler way. There was hope of an upset here, but even with Gopperth doing his level best to lose the match the Helengrad boys came away with the full monty points wise. Counties showed more heart than Wellington and deserved a better result. Poor effort from the Lions but enough to get the points over CM, just how bad can Nonu prove to be!

Some interest here with a number of future MiB players turning out for the Capital City boys. Daniel Kirkpatrick had a good one, but confusion remains over Hobbs who was signed for the Queensland Reds but turned up in a Lion's jersey. More on that as things develop.

Otago 20 - 26 Southland

It's taken thirty years but the Stags finally got a win at the house of pain. Not a match to send despatchs home about but heck an upset is an upset. Blair Stewart proved the difference with landing the minors as both teams nudged in two tries in an often times spiteful encounter.

Otago now in danger of not making the finals Southland starting to eye that prospect up but reliant on other results.

[Jethro]

Northland 20 - 22 Taranaki

In probably the most exciting game of the rounf the Naki held out a strong finishing Taniwha outfit to take a full 5 points, Northland having to settle for 1. Both teams played strongly in this match, with the Ref letting it flow. Northland were their own worse enemies with a bad day for the kickers costing them the match.

Anyone else noting the home sides aren't doing well this weekend!

Tasman 26 - 33 Bay of Plenty

The other Bay managed to record their first win of the season with an away win over a hapless Canterbury "B" outfit pretending to be Tasman. With ten minutes remaining the BOP scored the bonus point try, and sent BOP Mafia members into raptures. Tasman to their credit kept at it and ran in two late consulation tries to make the score more respectable.

Waikato 20 - 33 Canterbury (RS)

Canterbury were sublime in buring the Waikato outfit and lifted the Ranfurly Shield into the bargain. Waikato kind of forgot about tackling and had no answers to a pretty awesome display by the Southerns. Naturally Hawkeye Guys world wide were toasting the Cantabs as we get a shield challenge next week.

Let's hope the trend shown this weekend of all the home sides losing continues into next weekend, C'mon the Bay!