Counties Manukau v Magpies

[Higgins]

@Stargazer It doesn't seem to matter who is throwing in we seem to be winning the ball almost every lineout so far. Long may that situation continue.

[Stargazer]

4 minutes to go on that YC.

[Steven Harris]

@Higgins yes,the misty rain has just stopped

[Higgins]

ANy reason why Ollie Sapsford is on so early?

[Stargazer]

@Higgins Because Danny Toala failed his HIA.

[Stargazer]

Now Sapsford off (also for a HIA?) and replaced by Falcon.

[Higgins]

Oh thanks for that, I hadn't really noticed he was missing. Isn't Tiann Falcon in the reserves as well. One would have thought he would be the first one on ahead of Sapsford. Presumable his fitness levels must not be high enoough to see him play out much more than about half an hour at best at this stage.

[Stargazer]

Even with Royal now at hooker, the Magpies steal another line-out.

[Higgins]

Even chaning the Counties hooker has made no difference with another three wins againast the throw being recorded since he came on.

[Stargazer]

Still, with Royal on, Counties look stronger.

[Stargazer]

Counties penalised for a high tackle on Falcon.

[Higgins]

Sorry was attending to checking on my grilling drumsticks so missed that. Did he survive with no injury?????

[Stargazer]

@Higgins Yeah, Falcon is still on. Assuming that's what you mean.

[Steven Harris]

Gee I wish this game would start,lucky the coffee is good

[Higgins]

Yes, every time he encounters any sort of contact in a game he seems to suffer yet another disappointng injury. Maybe things are looking up for him at long last in that area?

[Stargazer]

Good kick from Falcon. Touched by Counties. Our line-out and Counties steal it. Fortunately, they knock it on.

[Stargazer]

Messy game.

[Higgins]

Hell those lineouts are messy, Nearly all of them are tap backs and hardly any two handed takes. Makes things rather tricky for Folau Fakatava trying to tidy up in the wet conditions.

[Higgins]

The way things are going we are looking miles away from banking any 4 try bonus points. Think we wiill jst have to concentrate on proctecting our lead and be satisfied with that at thisn stage.

[Stargazer]

Yep, we need two more tries for that bonus point.

It looks like Falcon is going to kick a long-distnace penalty kick! Gutsy.