The ghosts of recent years have been laid to rest - Auckland defeated
Wellington 58-44 at May Road Mt Roskill.

After a lightning start, the Auckland Buccaneers shot out to a good lead thanks to a more aggressive swarming attack on the ball. The reconstitued Bucks forward-line (less key position player Steve Froggatt) performed adequately to stretch to a 5 goal lead. On defence playing into the wind in the second quarter, the team in the Uni Blues uniform (yes, the Auckland team had to rely on our organisaton!) played tightly and drew upon a growing team spirit to again win the quarter.

Wellington must have been given a rocket at half-time as they came out to play in the second half and deprived the Auckland forward line of the ball in goal-scoring position. The Wellingtonians knew that NZ guersneys were on the line and really came through in the final quarter to put on four goals. Tim Stevens scored for the southern team after being moved from CHB to CHF.

Todd Taverna and Tim Burdeu (CHF and HFF) for the Bucks were among the pick of the Uni men and what an asset they will be this year as the Blues look to follow the Auckland team's lead and rectify recent disappointments. Karl Martin again proved his worth overhead and with long raking punts. Chris Taylor used his speed to good effect and Richard Pidgeon got a couple of touches!

The next game for the rep team is the return leg in Wellington on 29 June 2002. Word is that the Longman (Steve Frogatt) will be back, and Jarad Evans may be flying in for a cameo. Dave Goddall is nursing a hamstring injury, hence his last-minute withdrawal fromthis game. we hope to catch up with Waikato Chiefs No.1 fan in Australia some time in August. The NZ team will be named on the evening of 29 June- so fingers crossed for the eligible players (NZ-bred) with ties to Uni.

We continue to train at Vellenoweth Green, St Heliers at 9.30am each
Saturday morning. It's like money in the bank boys...what we put in now, we can draw on each game as we march to the premiership flag!