Bay of Plenty Rugby pre-season trumpet-blowing over recent years has had all the hallmarks of spin-doctoring, but with unpalatable results in the post-season analysis. One bright star on the horizon is that the Bay under 19 team won the National Under 19 Champs – well done.

History shows in 2003 Bay Rugby was hell-bent on moving HQ from Rotorua's excellent rugby stadium (creating some angst) to Baypark, which lasted only a few years. Then selfish souls morphed across to Tauranga Domain and started bleating about building a $50 million stadium on the constrained and geotech-challenged site, enlisting support from Councillors Mason and Clout.

All this hype for a pre-season Super15 and NPC home games with pitiful crowds. Tauranga would get four games and Rotorua/Whakatane three games.

The Domain's main stand and temporary tiered seating accommodating good-sized crowds is fine.

Should Bay Rugby want more, then go back to Baypark Stadium seating 20,000 with floodlights and 3000 carparks.

Purchased by Mayor Crosby and CEO Town (2007) this white elephant cost ratepayers tens of millions of dollars. Simply limit Speedway to October-February, protect the grassed infield and get on with it. Stop bleating, sponging and gravy-training. Elitism and indulgences have no place in Tauranga City.

R Paterson, Matapihi (Abridged).