Much better news here than in the NRL
Wk One results (and YTD): 2-0 (100%)
Got winners and comfortable covers with the Highlanders and the Cats (a road dog who won outright).
The Cats were the only away team to win as home teams covered the spread in the other matches.
The Highlanders gave us good value after a "feeling out" first half which saw the score at the break 8-8. The Otago scrum though was beginning to dominate as I predicted and the home team dictated terms in the second spell, taking advantage of the Blues having two players in the sin-bin for 10 minutes apiece.
The Brumbies thumping of the Crusaders opened many eyes. I expectd them to win but certainly not by this margin. I probably under-estimated their desire to gain revenge, Canterbury's slow starting reputation and Mehrtens' absence. In retrospect, here's win No3 that I missed, although a No Play is never money wasted.
The Sharks covered at home to the Bulls in an ugly encounter. Not expecting a lot from these teams; will be wary of how I play them.
The Waratahs confirmed their pre-season promise in hammering the Chiefs and easily covering. Chiefs, after a slow start, got to within 3 at the break but that may have been due to the Waratahs being down a man (sinbin) for 10 minutes.
The Reds covered late against the Hurricanes in a scrappy encounter where the 'Canes again showed their individual brilliance mixed with poor discipline. Reds have some problems too judging by the big weekend story claiming a number of senior players are unhappy withnew coach Mark McBain.
The Cats scored two late penalties from Louis Koen to beat the much-vaunted Stormers away. Again, forward power was the key here as the Cats totally dominated up front, allowing their superb loose forward trio and the boot of Koen to dictate play. Stormers' star-studded backline could struggle to do much without an engine room and the one-dimensional play of first-five Braam van Straaten.
Looking forward to week 2 more than I am week 3 of the Alice in Wonderland NRL
Wk One results (and YTD): 2-0 (100%)
Got winners and comfortable covers with the Highlanders and the Cats (a road dog who won outright).
The Cats were the only away team to win as home teams covered the spread in the other matches.
The Highlanders gave us good value after a "feeling out" first half which saw the score at the break 8-8. The Otago scrum though was beginning to dominate as I predicted and the home team dictated terms in the second spell, taking advantage of the Blues having two players in the sin-bin for 10 minutes apiece.
The Brumbies thumping of the Crusaders opened many eyes. I expectd them to win but certainly not by this margin. I probably under-estimated their desire to gain revenge, Canterbury's slow starting reputation and Mehrtens' absence. In retrospect, here's win No3 that I missed, although a No Play is never money wasted.
The Sharks covered at home to the Bulls in an ugly encounter. Not expecting a lot from these teams; will be wary of how I play them.
The Waratahs confirmed their pre-season promise in hammering the Chiefs and easily covering. Chiefs, after a slow start, got to within 3 at the break but that may have been due to the Waratahs being down a man (sinbin) for 10 minutes.
The Reds covered late against the Hurricanes in a scrappy encounter where the 'Canes again showed their individual brilliance mixed with poor discipline. Reds have some problems too judging by the big weekend story claiming a number of senior players are unhappy withnew coach Mark McBain.
The Cats scored two late penalties from Louis Koen to beat the much-vaunted Stormers away. Again, forward power was the key here as the Cats totally dominated up front, allowing their superb loose forward trio and the boot of Koen to dictate play. Stormers' star-studded backline could struggle to do much without an engine room and the one-dimensional play of first-five Braam van Straaten.
Looking forward to week 2 more than I am week 3 of the Alice in Wonderland NRL
