Sports betting: Media 2, Rest of the World 0

We prophesied it and so it came to pass - and the media always find it exhilarating when their predictions come true (even though some would say that's only because it is such an irregular occurrence).

However the facts are irrefutable - the media team finished up the final week of the second segment of the Herald on Sunday charity sports betting competition with a total of $598.25, compared to the readers' team return of $500.75 - a total of $1,099.50 for charity.

It was only a couple of NFL bets from Andrew Saville and sports editor Paul Lewis that really closed matters off. While the media took the team prize, reader Tony Hewin took the individual title, with a return of $247.50 from the $200 wagered. Incredibly, at the end of the segment Tony Hewin and Grant Nisbett were dead equal with their returns - although Tony really was consistent throughout the four weeks' betting and deserved the individual honours. He nominated the St Joseph's Mercy Hospice in Auckland as the charity beneficiary (Grant nominated child cancer when he won the first competition).

Top individual for the week was Andrew Saville with $84. Like the others, Andrew got money back after the Australia v NZ one day international was rained off, but came top this week because of successful bets on the Breakers and the Pittsburgh Steelers over the New York Jets in NFL. He was closely followed by Tony Hewin ($61 last week), with Paul Lewis in third with $38.50.

Overall returns for the month (on a total outlay of $200) looked like this:

$247.50 - Tony Hewin, Grant Nisbett

$187.00 - Andrew Saville

$169.50 - Graeme Rowe

$164.25 - Paul Lewis

$96.00 - Brendan Popplewell

A new team of readers - John Kilkenny, Ramon Kaire and Keith Miller - will now try to unseat the media kings from their self-appointed throne. John is 33, a financial adviser/insurance broker in Auckland, and an avid Manchester United fan who has just returned from five years working in Dublin. Born in Manchester of two Irish parents, but a Kiwi since four years old, John says he has the luck of the Irish. Irish? Kilkenny? With a name like that we're sure he likes a pint (Bet he's never heard that one before. - Ed). Ramon Kaire is 36, a draughtsperson, has two sons and follows the Warriors (better luck this year) and the Kiwis (moving right along). He also follows rugby (Northland Taniwhas) and Middlesborough in the English Premier League. With a list like that, Ramon's in need of some luck. The final team member is Keith Miller, a 34-year-old who works at Sky City Casino and loves cricket, rugby league and rugby union.

And so to battle! The media team are trying for a 3-0 result - can they be stopped?

- HERALD ON SUNDAY