I must admit, I was pleased the Aussies got up against the Lions to win the third test, although I’m not sure history will remember this year's Lions as a vintage one. In saying this, the Aussies showed that they are on the right track and are definitely on the improve.
Not a great start for ‘our’ Lions at a sunny Jerry Collins Stadium on Saturday, who had three of our own in the starting forward pack in PJ, Hugo, and Akira (I still count him as one of ours 
). After an even first half, we gave away some soft tries and fell away in the second, losing 33 - 15. There were promising signs, especially up front, but they looked rusty after only having one pre-season outing. Waikato next week, so things are not going to get any easier!
The Reserves being our only team now playing were at the home of rugby Lyndhurst Park on Saturday, beating MSP 41 - 34. Our roaming Vice President Rick Stonnell was at the match and posted the following report:
With the Wellington Lions drawn to play Canterbury at JC Stadium for the start of the NPC, and our Reserve Grade
v MSP 'Internationals' drawn at Lyndhurst at a similar time, a decision needed to be made who to support.
The right decision was made and rewarded with a great result for our boys heading toward the Mike Copeland Cup playoffs.
The MSP
'Internationals' are named such as they attract international players and, according to their French ex-player manager, there were some Argentinian boys playing which explained the noisy flag-waving supporters and air horn on the sideline creating a festival atmosphere.
Our boys got off to a flyer with Olli Patafilo showcasing his blistering speed down the right wing to
score the first try. Lorenzo cut loose down left wing shortly after, which resulted in another try and looked like it could be a cricket score. However MSP kept coming at us and replied to each try with one of their own until the final whistle, with the scoreline 41 - 34 - only seven points adrift and 75 points of entertainment.
For its first year together, our combined
Presidents/Reserve grade team has been a huge success in part due to John Masaga's initiative and also the players who have come together to be a team and number three on the ladder.
Next week they play their last round robin game v number two Petone at Lyndhurst at 2.45pm. A sniff at some more finals, so lets get down to the park and support our
boys.
Un cordial saludo a todos.
