Spy on the Bank

* Pioneers picked to perform again
I will not be giving Hokianga Pioneers coach Phil Marsh extra ammunition to wind his team up as from now.
It's the third time I have picked the Hokianga Pioneers to lose in the last three years and have got it wrong - grand finals 2003-2004 and then last weekend.
Down 10-12 at half time they came out fired up and did a blitzkrieg on a Portland Panthers side that had no answers. Putting 32 unanswered points on.
I will pick the Pioneers at this stage to take out this year's grand final and make it three in a row. I don't know what they put in the water at half time but Marsh certainly pulls the white rabbit out of the hat just at the appropriate time.
Note, he still has a couple of "big guns" to return in Tim Makoare and man-mountain Cedric McCarthy.
An informant told me last week Hokianga were not up to last year's standard and another fan said Portland had an advantage with the same referee three times now.
Hokianga had other ideas and local knowledge played a part as Sonny Taylor made full use of the extended in-goal area and put up some well-weighted "bombs" that produced three tries.
It was a wake-up call for the Portland Panthers who are now well aware of the fitness level required to be competitive.
It does a team no favours to come out one week and pile on a 50 plus score, and then go down by a similar score themselves.
No doubt this will all be sorted out when we move into the play-offs.
There does appear to be a social attitude by some clubs but until we can provide for them in a separate competition they will just have to get serious or fall by the wayside.
Coaching is of concern and I have it from a reliable source coaches will be required to be graded before a club will be accepted into the 2006 comp.
Director of coaching Damon Rudulph gave an in-depth programme on what will be taking place at schoolboy level with some positive feedback from schools showing interest.
With the Bartercard Cup "carrot" just around the corner we do have a bright path for the schoolboys.
At college level it's all go and a lot of promise is on show.
The NJC 16 and 18 had good results for us to capitalise on. We are well aware of the talent scouts with their bags of lollies and cheque books.
It's a message to clubs to get more involved and get these players on their books.
Draws
Saturday, May 7: Hokianga Pioneers v Te Hiku Stingrays at Ohaeawai, 1pm; Takahiwai Warriors v Waitangi at Haruru Falls, 2.30pm; Moerewa Tigers v Kaikohe Lions at Moerewa, 2.30pm.
Sunday, May 8: Northern Pirates v Coastline at Jubilee Park, 1pm; Marist Brothers v Portland Panthers at Jubilee Park, 2.30pm.
Vodafone Warriors v Cronulla Sharks at Perth, 11pm.