This past weekend threw up another classic example of how sports betting can make watching an event much more exciting, even if the final outcome is not always as you would have liked.

The Leopards were hosting Western Province on Friday and Betxchange the first bookmaker to price up made the visitors -22. WP had to win the game by 23 points or more should you back them on the handicap.

The feeling of punters was summed up in the Goodforthe- game forum by Logan who predicted the handicap would not last and WP backers should move. When the lads sniff value they are like a set of Twilight vampires smelling human blood and they moved in and swiftly hovered up the -22 on offer.

I only managed to get on at -25 but I was still confident this WP team could do the business as the Lions had beaten the Leopards away by 30 points and, the previous week, Province had given those same Lions a hiding of note.

Things looked good early on and, coming into the last five minutes, WP were on attack and 29 points ahead. They had a scrum on the Leopards line and with the No 8 appearing to be in control of the ball at the base, the ref called “ball is out” and a Leopard jumped in to snatch it – clearing the danger.

Handicap punters were relaxed though as there was only one team in this and the visitors continued to attack only for the Leopards to intercept to score under the posts with less than two minutes remaining. The gap was 24 with the conversion to come and I had done my money, and bookmakers must have been chuckling as the Leopards player looked to pop the conversion over from right underneath.

Somehow he missed and with seconds remaining the -22 backers had dodged a bullet of note. WP kicked off no doubt with thoughts on the post-match beer only for a Leopards sub to run through half the side to set up an injury time try for the home team. Punters were left crying while bookmakers partied until the early hours of Saturday morning. A loss it may have been, but wow what a ride!

Brent Graham is a

www.goodforthegame.co.za

columnist and presents a sports betting radio show on Thursday nights at 10pm on 1485AM Radio Today/ Channel 169 on DStv Audio Bouquet.

brent@goodforthegame.co.za.