Marist caused the upset of the round in the Southland club rugby premier grade on Saturday with their 15-14 win over Star.
Star fullback Nate Corbett scored to help his side to a seven-point lead at halftime in the wet and muddy conditions on Marist’s home turf at Miller St.
Corbett scored again early in the second half but his side was soon down to 14 players when loose forward Salanoa was sent off.
Moodie scored first and blindside flanker Luka Cassidy then scored two tries in a top individual performance. No 8 Felix Lauofo was man of the match and tighthead prop Liam McIntosh also impressed.
Josh Jennings had the chance to win the game for Star with a penalty goal attempt in the closing stages but it was flagged away.
Pirates Old Boys beat Woodlands 35-5 at Sandy Point on Saturday. Centre Sam McLachlan scored two of the five tries for POB.
The veteran utility back’s first try was scored after eight minutes and McLachlan’s next was just before halftime when he finished off a long-range team movement which helped his side to a 23-point lead at the break.
Woodlands lock Riley Smith scored a try after halftime but that was the end of the scoring until inside the last 10 minutes, when Hayden Hegarty powered off the back of a POB scrum to score under the posts.
Wing Tevita Chute capped off the bonus point win with a try in the corner against a stretched defence.
POB are now seven competition points clear of Woodlands in second on the ladder and five points behind the leading Eastern Northern Barbarians.
Woodlands had toppled the Barbarians the previous week but were low on player resources again.
The Barbarians bounced back from their loss to Woodlands to beat Invercargill Blues 57-10 at the Gore Showgrounds on Saturday.
Blues have been improving as a team during recent weeks but the local team was hungry to get back into winning form.
The combined side led 21-5 at halftime and the second 40 minutes was under complete control by the locals.
Replacement winger Banuve Dretiverata scored twice. Veteran forwards Lachlan McCall (hooker), Morgan Mitchell (prop) and Brenton Howden (No 8) each scored a try. The locals converted six of their nine tries.
Prop Tom Scanlan made a welcome return from injury off the bench for the Barbarians.
This Saturday Jason Rutledge will be playing his 300th game for Woodlands when they take on Marist at Rugby Park. Woodlands loose forward Caleb Karangaroa and prop Elroy Macomber are expected to be available this weekend.
Star and the Eastern Northern Barbarians will play on field six at Oreti Park, while Blues and POB will also avoid the mud and play at Oreti Park, field three.
Results
Division 1: Riversdale/Waikaka 26, Riverton 16. Pioneer 36, Albion 5. Wyndham 18, Tokanui 0. Edendale 45, Waikiwi 28.
Division 2: Woodlands B 27, Pirates-Old Boys B 10. Midlands 48, Star B 7. Mossburn 24, Te Anau 0. Ohai-Nightcaps-Otautau 17, Central Pirates 15.
Division 3: Marist B 41, Wakatipu B 27. Bluff 15, Waiau Star 12. Drummond-Limehills-Star 37, Collegiate 5.
Women: Pioneer 34, Wakatipu 22. Marist 38, Star 7. Blues – Bye.
By John Langford
