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The Red Machine
No 3. June 2003

Top points' scorers
The club’s top points scorers up to and including games on 7 June are:
Tries:
Mike Hansen (presidents) -10
Brendan Watt (premier 1) - 9
Mark Marika (senior 2) - 9
Malama Sione (senior 4 white) - 7
Taua Sione - 7
Effron Heather (premier 1) - 6
Bryce Tietjens (presidents) - 6
J.P. Tocker (senior 1) - 6
Peniase Tokacece (premier 1) - 6
Kicking points
Sam Rasch (premier 1/2) - 93
Fa’atonu Fili (premier 1) - 71
Stephen Murdoch (colts A) - 46
Chris Slade (senior 2) - 41
(Thanks to Barry Smith for the stats.)

Short cuts

Under-19 reps
Congratulations to the following MSP players who have been selected for the Wellington under-19 rep team: Daniel Kauraka, Joseph Wright, Chris Slade, and Marika Kau.
Pin-up boy
The Auckland Blues may have curly-haired Doug Howlett as their pin-up boy, but MSP’s very own curly-haired Craig Zemba has also been getting his name in lights.
Craig featured in a recent Dominion Post story about posties. Now 30, Craig is playing centre for the presidents.
One positive spin-off of being a postie is maintaining fitness for the frantic pace of pressies rugby. A popular club member, Craig has played for a number of MSP teams over the years.
Unlucky 13
Premier 2 players would have had an unusual feeling after their 7 June game against Wests - for the first time this season, they lost.
As the senior 1s, the team went through the first round undefeated to win 11 games from 11 and collect the Harper Lock Shield.
That qualified them for the Hardham Cup as the premier 2s, where they had a first-up win over Petone 2. Although they lost Saturday’s game 12-19 - their unlucky 13th match - they performed with distinction against Wests premier 1 side, with the forwards having a particularly strong game.

80/80 Blues win first round
A good mixture of youth and experience has helped the 80/80 Blues go undefeated through the first round, says coach Nick O’Reilly.
The team contains many school leavers, but also a core of players who have been with the team since it was set up six years ago.
Fullback Hohepa Thompson is having a great season, says Nick, and the team is well captained by blindside flanker Kirk Hope. Dan Boyle is the co-coach, and Lisa McKenzie manages the side.
The team could have been promoted to division 2 for the second round, but Nick says the team will remain in division 3.
80/80 rugby is played at a fast and furious pace, with a high skill level. However, there are a number of small players in the side and MSP already has teams in the other two divisions.

Colts' raffle winners
The MSP Colts would like to thank everyone who purchased tickets for their raffle. In particular, MSP’s non-playing members strongly backed the colts fund-raising drive, and the team is grateful for their support.
Results of the raffle are:
First (Book: Tribute to All Black Greats) - No 1027, Simon Barber
Second (2 tickets to All Blacks v England Test) - No 2853, Ron Evans
Third (Book: Golden Years of All Black Rugby) - No 2680, John Wootton

TEST WEEKEND 13-15 June
An invitation to MSP’s clubrooms at Rowers

On Saturday 14 June when the All Blacks play England at the Stadium, the MSP clubrooms in Hataitai will be closed.
However, all MSP members and supporters are invited to meet before the game at Rowers, the Wellington Rowing Club’s rooms at the southern end of Frank Kitts park
(next to the lagoon).
After the game, the meeting place will be the Boastshed (next to Rowers)

PRE-MATCH: From 3.00pm to 6.00pm at Rowers (the Test kicks off at 7.00pm.)

POST-MATCH: Everyone is invited back to the Boatshed. LIVE MUSIC !

Note: the MSP Celebrity Test Dinner will take place at the MSP clubrooms, Hataitai, at 7.30pm on Friday 13 June, the night before the test.
Guest speakers are All Black legend Colin Meads, and former All Black Ian Jones.