Magpies v Southland

[Higgins]

Just seen a shot of the crowd. Hell even though it is the Bay you would not want to draw Southland, who are not exactly the world's biggest drawcard, at home on a wintery day too often. There are almost as many people in my lounge as there are sitting in the Harris Stand. Two minutes to go, just enought time for another listen to Bob Houston singing "There's something about a magpie" just one more time.

[Higgins]

Whew, a narrow escape of avoiding the embarrassment of letting Southland off nil through a try. TMO (don't think it is Mr. Dockery tonight) and ref decide an obstruction on the Bay No. 8 prevented him making a tackle.

[Stargazer]

@Higgins Coathanger from Pleasants-Tate, off the ball, too.

[Stargazer]

Geez, this is messy. I know it's wet, but they should do better.

[Steven Harris]

The decision to reverse the try was correct ,but once again it brings into question the officiating, last week we saw Otere Black in the shield challenge get taken out in a defensive line and nothing happens..all you ask for consistency..!

[Stargazer]

I hope this doesn't turn into a banana skin game.

[Stargazer]

Great try from Evans. Good guys take the lead.

Kaifa replaced by O'Connor, not sure why.

[Steven Harris]

@Stargazer head knock in contact..

[Number 10]

Magpies playing into wind

[Higgins]

Not likely as Sosuthland do have the advantage of what looks to be a pretty chilly Sou Westerly behind them.
Fie nil to the Bay after about 15 minutes thanks to a bit of a scabby sort of try from deep on defence to Gareth Evans. Josh Kaifa looks to be gone after a spectacular takcel he carried out has resulted in what looks to be a fairly painful shoulder injury

[Stargazer]

Damn, get your act together boys!

[Higgins]

Lineout five metres short with Bay throw= certain try coming up!

[Stargazer]

Yup, Dixon with the try. That wind must be strong, because even Toala misses what didn't look like a difficult kick.

10 - 6 Magpies.

[Higgins]

@Stargazer Goalkicking does not seem to be a strength of our team. Can Devan Flanders kick goals?

[Stargazer]

@Higgins I was wondering whether Makene can kick.

[Stargazer]

I feel like swearing.

[Steven Harris]

Referee Rebecca Mahoney in her first game at this level doing a superb job...better watch out Glen Jackson...

[Higgins]

Is it just my imagination or are we seriously lacking a player with outright gas that could result in a 95 metre runaway try to our team?

[Stargazer]

Are we lucky we're playing Southland, now that we are playing so terribly? Or are we so terrible because we're playing Southland (complacency?)

[Higgins]

@Steven-Harris Agreed, she is going well. Incidentally her hairdo seems to resemble those popular amongst Northland players!