The Eastern Northern Barbarians remain unbeaten after five rounds of the Southland premier grade season.
The Barbarians recorded a 13-6 win against Star on Saturday. Star battled hard right to the final whistle in cold weather conditions in the northern Southland town of Waikaia.
The Barbarians led 8-6 at halftime as the fog began to roll in over the Waikaia grounds.
Coach AJ Aitken said it was a tough game.
"Star put pressure on us and they were defensively strong."
Star first five-eighth Sam Mustchin kicked two long range goals in the first half but Barbarians hooker Liam Ferguson made a dart down the short side to score, taking his personal try-scoring tally to 10 tries from the first five games.
The Barbarians landed a penalty goal just before halftime for a 8-6 lead.
Aitken’s message to his team at the break was to get back to basics.
"We just looked a bit unorganised, our lineout was not great, our game management was a bit off."
The Barbarians scored late in the game to make it 13-6.
"Individually we were good but as a team we were a bit clunky," Aitken said.
Openside flanker Ben Hill was man of the match, while prop Morgy Mitchell and centre Liam McFaul made valuable contributions. Josefa Bula made an impact in the second half when he came on to the right wing, as did James Holland who came on at first five-eighth for the last 30 minutes.
Rugby Southland life membership has been awarded recently to Waikaia’s Malcolm McKee. Rugby Southland board members Murray Brown and Rex Carter were in Waikaia for a presentation after the game.
McKee began as a player for Waikaia before moving quickly into governance, where he has spent more than 30 years shaping the structures that support community rugby in Southland.
McKee played an important role in the establishment of the Eastern Northern Barbarians club in 2012. The 2016 Barbarians side were also in Waikaia on Saturday to celebrate the 10-year anniversary since the club’s only Galbraith Shield victory.
The shield-winning side reunited for lunch at the Waikaia Pub before cheering on their team. Lachlan McCall captained that 2016 team from openside flanker. McCall and prop Morgan Mitchell and No 8 Brenton Howden were the only 2016 players in the Barbarians team yesterday.
McCall was part of the original 2012 Barbarians team and has been a standout leader for the club.
Woodlands had a 40-27 victory against Marist. The result was in the balance until the 78th minute when Woodlands scored under the posts.
Woodlands had led 21-10 at half time and 33-27 during the closing stages. Woodlands coach Barry Smith said Marist fired plenty of shots in the last 10 minutes.
"They were really going at us, the result could’ve easily gone the other way."
Woodlands midfielder Tauasosi Tuimavave was man of the match. No 8 Robbie McKenzie also impressed in his first game back since injuring his knee in round one. McKenzie got through 80 minutes and blindside Ryley McRae also took on a high workload.
Right wing Justin Shaw converted five of their six tries, while Marist could only convert one of their five tries.
Woodlands had most of their 14 teams playing at home for "club day" on Saturday.
Coach Barry Smith said it was a beautiful day at Woodlands.
"We fluked perfect conditions for club day. There was a big crowd and a good atmosphere, especially with Marist’s supporters always there."
Woodlands were without regular hooker Jason Rutledge and loose forwards Caleb Karangaroa, Sloane Lankshear and Nathan Va’atausili.
Smith said having the players from the Woodlands B team being available to step up to reserve for the premier grade team after the B team curtain raiser match had been a big help.
"It is going to be trickier for the next round when we don’t have them playing at the same ground."
In other Woodlands news, the fleet-footed fullback Izaah Iosefo and his father Daniel played on the same team for the first time last Saturday in Woodlands B’s 48-7 win over Marist B. Izaah had also debuted for the premier grade team earlier this season. Loose forward Daniel Iosefo was a New Zealand secondary schools player back in 1997.
Pirates Old Boys cruised through their encounter with Invercargill Blues at Surrey Park. POB scored a 106 point win after leading 36-nil at half time against a fragile defence.
Captain Greg Dyer scored three of his team’s 16 tries from fullback and 11 conversions.
Lock Craig Smith was given the chance to kick the last conversion of the match and nailed it. After debuting in 2007, Craig Smith was playing his 264th game for POB on Saturday, to become the most capped Pirates Old Boys premier grade player in their 26-year history.
This Saturday, the most anticipated match is between Star and Pirates Old Boys at Waverley Park. POB beat Star 59-nil in week one of the competition. Marist will play the Barbarians at Miller Street, while Woodlands will set the scene for the beleaguered Blues team.
Wyndham made it seven wins from seven games after their 33-27 victory over Albion in the division one competition last weekend. Edendale are in second position after their 83-19 win over Tokanui.
Results
Division 1: Pioneer 25, Waikaka/Riversdale Vikings 14; Riverton 31, Waikiwi 24; Edendale 83. Tokanui 19; Wyndham 33, Albion 27.
Division 2/3: Pirates Old Boys 55, Blues 10; Star 26, Collegiate 0; Woodlands 48, Marist 7; Otautau-Ohai-Nightcaps 37, Te Anau 15; Mossburn 40, Waiau Star 5; Midlands 70, Bluff 17; Drummond-Limehills-Star 88, Wrights Bush 26; Central Pirates 32, Wakatipu 29.
Women: Star 41, Pioneer 22; Wakatipu 55 Blues 10; Marist bye.
By John Langford