I will certainly miss the group stages of the Super 14 although on the flip side I think the break from 5 match a Saturday action will put my marriage back on a steadier footing. 

It was a huge weekend for me on a number of fronts. First up and I suppose fairly surprisingly I got so caught up in my Spreads Challenge that I never placed a single fixed odds Super 14 bet this weekend, surely a world first. Things went well on that (the spreads) front at least but I unfortunately have to write off a few of my long term bets and feel pretty disappointed having seen them stay alive until the final week before falling short.

The Brumbies entered round 14 one point ahead of the Waratahs and were perhaps a little unlucky not to get a draw away to the Chiefs in wet conditions. They went down 10-7 and the 4 points that the Chiefs picked up were enough to ensure that the Hurricanes who I had backed for Top New Zealand team at 5/2 could not catch them and also that the Waratahs needed only 2 points against the Lions to thwart my long term Top Australian bet on the Brumbies at 18/10.

The Lions actually gave me hope at one stage as they stormed back into the game after conceding a 4 try bonus point early on but I needed them to win by 8 or more to prevent the Tah’s getting that second point which would have seen them pip the Brumbies on point’s difference. I did feel for the Lions though when referee Jonker denied them a likely match winning try calling a very marginal forward pass. 

The other bet I need to wave goodbye to is the Sharks to win the tournament at 7/1. With 2 weeks to go then I am down to a single long term interest and that is the Hurricanes to take the title at odds of 7/1. 

A nett loss of 25 units on the Super 14 long terms need to come off my bottom line this week (I had of course already written others off in last weeks blog).

I never had a football punt (although am writing off my 10 unit bet on Hull to finish last) but following last weeks success in the Players Championship I had another go in the golf investing 8 units. 66/1 Brian Davies kept me interested until the end and I only turned in when he putted for eagle from 20 feet but only made par on the 16th. That eagle would have been enough to get him in the playoff (and a birdie would have seen him finish 4th) but in the end he could only tie for 5th and by the time dead heat rules had been applied my return was only 3.41 units on that bet and I shed 4.59 units in the golf.

Elsewhere I had a nibble on one of the cycling stages and also have to write off my Giro bets on Vandevelde who had to retire after a bad accident. I have replaced him by backing Michael Rogers for a Top 10, podium and the win to the tune of 4.5 units and these are now covered in the pending section below.

All in all a quiet week on the fixed odds front with most of my 45.49 unit loss a result of decisions I took some time back. I have really enjoyed the Super 14 but strange as it sounds I am actually pretty tired as the pressure of previewing and punting every game can take its toll after a while. I know my wife is one person who is very happy we are down to just a couple of matches this weekend and I guess I have some making up to do!

Talking of the semi finals bookmakers have priced up and we will be tracking some of the betting moves and team news on this thread I our Discussion Forum.

BETTING SUMMARY

Balance after week 18: 106.12 units
Week 19 result: -45.49 units
Running balance: +60.63 units 

Pending Bets

Super 14: 5 units Hurricanes to win at 7/1

F1: 2 units Button for the title at an average of 53/1

Cycling: Giro – 8.5 units (Armstrong to wear pink, Armstrong to win a stage, Rogers for win, podium and Top 10)

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