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The Southland club rugby premier grade resumed last Saturday after taking the previous weekend off for the opening day of duck-shooting.
Pirates-Old Boys beat Woodlands 24-17 in the feature game of round four at Surrey Park.
Woodlands had the wind behind them in the first half but it was the local team who started the match best.
No.8 Hayden Hegarty scored the first try for POB and midfielder Napo Surulele barged over to make it 12-0 after 18 minutes.
Woodlands then clicked into gear and scored three tries of their own to lead 17-12 at the break.
In the second half, POB, led by Greg Dyer, took advantage of the wind by kicking long and dominating the territory game.
A converted try to the vastly experienced POB lock Craig Smith put his side back in front 19-17. A try to JJ Fisher extended the locals lead with 15 minutes remaining.
POB were able to hold on to that 24-17 margin and retained the ‘Cossie Cup’ named after Paul Cosgrove who had been a valued character of both clubs.
Woodlands coach Barry Smith said the slow start from his side proved costly in the end. "That first 20 minutes was probably the difference but I was pleased how we were able to reset and get ahead before halftime."
Lock Riley Smith was the most valuable player for Woodlands, while try-scoring prop Bryan Tyrell also impressed.
Star beat Marist 29-7 at Waverley Park on Saturday. Victorious coach Brayden Mitchell said it was a good win but an ugly win. "It was only ugly due to the weather, it was tough enough just standing there watching."
Marist scored right on half time to lock up the score line at 7-7.
Mitchell said the diabolical weather made getting clean ball to the backline very difficult. "Our second five-eighth Micaiah Johnson-Brown was outstanding and he was able to get us on the front foot."
"Josh Bekhuis was bloody good for us, his ball-carries were really valuable" Mitchell said of the Southland rugby legend.
Star’s other young guns in the backline had a good day. Fullback Nate Corbett scored and first five-eighth Sam Mustchin converted three of the four tries and kicked a penalty goal. Cobett went looking for work and was a strong ball-runner.
Left wing Fale Iosefo scored a try when the Star club was celebrating his 100th game.
Marist was missing a few of their key players so they did well to compete as well as they did. No.8 Hemi Raimona was their best, while fullback Jordan Goodall also impressed and converted their only try by hooker James Moodie. Midfielder Alex Meulenbroek was another contributor for the visitors.
Eastern Northern Barbarians remain the only unbeaten side in the competition after accounting for Invercargill Blues 24-5 at Appleby.
Halfback Charlie Marsh scored two of the Barbarians four tries. Hooker Liam Ferguson also scored on Saturday to remain the competition’s leading try-scorer.
The feature game of the premier grade on Saturday is at Waikaia between the Eastern Northern Barbarians and Star. Pirates-Old Boys host Blues at Surrey Park, while Woodlands will start favourites at home against Marist.
Wyndham made it six wins from six games after their 29-7 victory over Waikiwi in the division one competition. Edendale are in second position after their 26-20 over Pioneer.
Results
Division 1: Riversdale/Waikaka Vikings 45-22 Albion, Tokanui 5-0 Riverton, Edendale 26-20 Pioneer, Wyndham 29-7 Waikiwi.
Division 2/3: Star 20-5 Marist, Collegiate 20-0 Blues B, Pirates-Old Boys B 15-13 Woodlands B, Wakatipu B 43-36 Ohai-Nightcaps-Otautau, Te Anau 27-21 Waiau Star, Drummond Limehills Star 10-0 Central Pirates, Midlands 105-7 Wrights Bush, Bluff 25-22 Mossburn.
Women: Pioneer 24-15 Wakatipu, Star 54-29 Marist.
By John Langford