A week of extreme adrenalin

OPINION: What a time it has been for sporting addicts in New Zealand, and Southland in particular, over the past week or so, writes Brendon Egan in this week's Nothing But Net.

It all started last Sunday in Christchurch at the second twenty20 international between New Zealand and Australia.

Brendon McCullum was in sublime touch, scoring a rare twenty20 hundred. Since then things have only got better with plenty of banter and exciting cricket.

Being an absolute football nut, I've been loving the Wellington Phoenix's dream run in the A-League finals series.

Down here in Southland, one of the major highlights was seeing the Southland Sharks' first match in NBL history against Hawke's Bay.

I've been to New Zealand and Australian NBL and NBA matches in America in the past and the Sharks would have to be right up there in terms of game day entertainment and atmosphere. I loved the quirky Jaws remix at the game.

Before the Sharks game, I trekked out to Farm Jam at the Frew family farm in Otapiri Gorge and was blown away by what I saw.

The event features the best freestyle motocross, BMX, mountainbike and pike bike riders from around the planet and was a real treat to watch. These guys give it everything they've got and have absolutely no fear or respect for their own bodies. If you've never been before, I would definitely recommend it.

With some of the most talented age-group track cyclists in New Zealand at the ILT Velodrome, two 50-over women's cricket internationals at Queens Park between New Zealand and Australia, the Southland Invitational golf tournament, the rigorous White Hill Classic mountainbike and offroad running event and the good old Battle of the Gladiators cagefighting out at Wallacetown also on over the past few days there was literally something for everyone – no matter what your sporting palate.

» The latest addition to the Southland Times sports department, Brendon Egan is a transplanted Cantabrian who is still in mourning for the Ranfurly Shield. Brendon’s main interests are basketball and football and having spiky hair.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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