"I start this, many weeks after a great triumph. A triumph that stands with the greatest in our proud union's history. The triumph over our nearest neighbor, the triumph over the greatest of all our rivals, the triumph over the SCUM dictatorship that exists a few measly kilometers from our mighty fortress.

This triumph made sweater by the fact that I live among them.

Ripped from my North Shore home at age 10, isolated from the East Coast Bays Rugby Club, I called my home.

I was taken across the bridge, through the barren suburbs of our sworn enemy, and into the Promised Land. COUNTIES. An at the time proud and powerful union, revealing in the superstardom of Joeli Vidiri and Jonah Lomu.

This union standing proud and tall, wedged between inbred Waikato and city slicker Auckland. A union where on a Saturday afternoon in Pukekohe the cry of "Give us hope Joeli, Give us hope Joeli." Could be heard for miles around. This union, sporting one of the most dynamic backlines the NPC has ever seen, the idea of second division deemed beyond comprehension. This union the once great Counties-Manukau Steelers, standing up to it's retarded neighbors, and shoving their money right where it belongs. This union now dwelling in the idea of a long term stay in the NPC wilderness.

The NZRFU, needs to take a good long look and this once powerful union. It needs to take a good long look at the demise of a rugby superpower. They were the first; they most definitely will not be the last.

North Harbour a union standing proud and tall, stuck behind their rich-ass, arrogant neighbors. A union where the cry of Bring Back Buck still raises the hair on the back of necks. A union sporting one of the most dynamic backlines in the modern era, the idea of second division deemed beyond comprehension. A mighty union standing up to the bullies, a union fighting back against Big five wallets.

Sound familiar. It should do. North Harbour is at the top of a mountain, with the only option, a long slide down one side. As a union Harbour must act, they must secure their place in the top flight for years to come. They must blackmail, bully, harangue the NZRFU into a change in rules, a change in franchise, A NEW SUPER 12 TEAM.

In the meantime I wallow in glory, a great victory over the hated SCUM. Removed from my homeland I am to associate with the heathen non-believers. Am forced to honor the memory of such SCUM as Joe Rokocoko, John Afoa and Jerome Kaino who recently walked the halls. I am forced to hear the never-ending cry of 'Harbour's Gay' as I pass down the corridor. For the week before the match, I was spoken to only by my fellow Harbour supporter, and sadly had to lower myself to communication with those of the Waikato mould to prevent going insane. At 2:15 on Saturday 4th September 2004, I arrived at the chapel of the heathen, and as I took my seat found that I was surrounded by Blue and White. It looked like a long afternoon in front of me. This was compounded by the 22-3 score line late in the first half. The mockery began, as I sank lower and lower down into my seat. 40 minutes later, it was me doing the mockery as Carlos Spencer showed his metal, and Rico Gear calmly strolled into the right hand corner. The day was done. Harbour 34 Auckland 32. One of the great games.

Monday 6th September 2004: Lunchtime at Saint Kentigern College, the usual North Harbour versus the rest rugby game begins. Our team numbers have more than quadrupled. Instead of 2 we are now blessed with 16 players with which to combat the Auckland hordes. The transformation is amazing, the game which normally ends up in a heated exchange about the merits of McAllister vs. Spencer or Rico vs. Atiga, does not ensue. The Aucklanders hold their tongues, instead i find it is me throwing out the taunts, my wallet significantly fatter after the payouts from those stupid enough to bet with me on the result. Tomorrow it will be back to the norm 2 of us against 30, the Harbour boyz standing up in an Auckland stronghold.

A few weeks ago I returned to Pukekohe Stadium, as Counties took on good old East Coast, a reasonable crowd of about 1500 odd turned out, and as the game progressed the chant off "Give us hope Joeli, Give us hope Joeli." Could be faintly heard from the grand stand. A far cry from the glory days, of the union in which I live. Joeli is long gone as is the magic he and his teammates once brought to this shell of a has-been beast.

As a proud expat from North Harbour supporter (I was once thrown off a two storey launch for wearing "the devils jersey," to my end of year rugby function.) good luck to the boyz for this weekend. Harbour vs. Bay the last Hurrah. Let's make this comp our own.

Do not let this be North Harbour in 5 years time; do not let the pride of the maroon, black and whites fail. Something must be done, North Harbour must survive the troubled times ahead. We are the top of the mountain. Let's hope things don't get worse.

ALL HAIL HARBOUR.

Chris"