The weekend brought a real dose of doom and gloom to the country. No, it wasn't swine flu or more bad news on the economic recession – The All Blacks Got Beaten.

We must live in the only country in the world where losing a rugby game can send the whole country into mourning. To some it is the end of the world when the men in black lack lose, with the All Black coach categorised in the same company as Attila the Hun.
An impartial viewer might suggest that the game in Dunedin last Saturday was actually a good contest and the All Blacks were simply outplayed. What it does is set up a grand decider next week, where all will be forgiven if our team emerges victorious.
Sport is supposed to be about fun and enjoyment. The real joy of sport is played out every weekend in the Western Bay of Plenty, where the youngsters of the region take to the footie fields, netball courts and hockey arenas. While skills may be lacking the fun and pleasure of the young players is a joy to behold.
An article in last weekend's The Weekend Sun got me thinking about what keeps sport, in particular junior sport, in New Zealand alive and well.
It's the volunteers that give their time each week so the participants can enjoy their game.
It's the mums and dads who shuttle their children and other team members to junior Saturday morning games.
Without the numerous referees, touch judges and officials there wouldn't be a game.
Add in the voluntary bean counters (treasurers), scribes (secretaries), leaders (chairman), and people who care about their sport, and there is the composition of the large number of sporting clubs and organisations in the Western Bay.
On the local Baywide rugby scene, the Mighty Mounties (aka as the Mount Maunganui Premiers) continued their comeback from despair in the Western Bay round, to comprehensively defeat the challenge from Whakatane Marist 26-10.
Last year's Baywide Premier champions, Tauranga Sports, who are chasing a three peat of titles this year, had a real arm wrestle with Rangataua. After rocketing to a 20-3 lead at the break, they finally sneaked home 20-16 at Te Ariki Field.
Te Puke Sports posted 14 unanswered points against archrivals Rotoiti in the first half, then repelled all challenges to grab a 14-3 victory. In Div One Greerton Marist surprised with a 26 point win over Ngongotaha, with Arataki going down to Te Teko 24-3, and Te Puna losing 25-12 against Kahukura.