SPY ON THE BANK - Always a positive story to be found

They say when the times get tough the tough get going and the district's rugby league community is certainly copping its share of grief.
Added to our personal tragedies we have yet another club gone to the wall.
The Waitangi Sharks have made it official - they can no longer sustain their place in the competition. They have gone down the same path as Coastline for exactly the same reasons - a lack of administrators.
Players are out there in abundance but that is all they are prepared to do. Play football. I can count on one hand players from 20-30 years back who are now still involved in one way or another in administration.
The clubs are spoon-fed by the NZRL with the supplying of full sets of gear including tracksuits next season, and all buses paid for. The more they get the more they want.
I must admit I do feel quite angry about the attitude of some clubs. However, I dragged my sorry soul along to the Moerewa vs Takahiwai match last Saturday and I have to admit my spirit was lifted somewhat after an enlightening conversation with Dennis Davis, one of the club officials from Moerewa. He was so positive about his club's attitude to rugby league that I felt a whole lot better.
Dennis oozed enthusiasm (and his team had just lost). Everything was buzzing in Moerewa; good local community support; schoolboys active and looking for more football. He is convinced his team were 10 points better than that day's performance (they had just lost 26-22).
I asked him: "What about your neighbours and last year's Grand Final winners Hokianga and their default last weekend?"
He replied: "Best thing that could have happened, it sent shock-waves through the Hokianga. Mark my words, they will be better for that."
Sure enough, they are back with a vengeance, beating tough neighbours Kaikohe 48-10.
The Takahiwai club has a very strong family spirit with a long tradition in the code. Family members like the Newtons, Pirihis and Clydes will ensure this club will carry on its proud heritage in the game for years to come.
Moerewa's Simon Latu is destined for higher honours. He carries the ball in one hand like Sonny Bill Williams, has the Benji Marshall side-step and scores tries.
Great to see Anthony Murray's son Damien carrying on with his life after his dad's sad passing. It was the most popular try of the day at Takahiwai that left a lump in a few throats.
When a referee has to tell a sideline official to curb his tongue, things are a little out of hand. Let's hope the culprit takes heed!
On a positive note, it was a deserving award for our code to see Raymond James Cranch listed in the Queen's Birthday honours list as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
I have known Ray since 1989 when he chaperoned a contingent of Kiwis to the UK. His involvement in our code goes back a long way. You would not meet a better ambassador. His family must be very proud.
Draw for this Saturday: Kaikohe vs Marist at Kaikohe; Takahiwai vs Portland at Portland; Wairoa vs Hokianga at Dargaville; Moerewa bye.
Sunday: Waitakere vs Storm at Jubilee Park.