Star firmed up their spot in fourth position on the Southland club rugby premier grade points-table after beating Woodlands 27-20 at Waverley Park in Invercargill.
Both teams scored a try each during the first 20 minutes. Woodlands were playing better rugby but Star was able to stay in the fight and go into half-time with the score level at 12-12.
Woodlands led 17-12 after 60 minutes but the home team scored twice and kicked a conversion and a penalty goal.
Woodlands closed to 27-20 and were attacking the Star line in the concluding stages.
Star coach Brayden Mitchell said the gritty win was celebrated appropriately.
"The clubrooms were packed afterwards and it was a good night for the club."
Young Kasseus Henry played a good game on the right wing and the vastly experienced 40-year-old second rower Josh Bekhuis deserved to score his try.
Halfback Jackson Hughan also scored one of Star’s four tries. Hughan was playing his last game for Star for the season as he prepares to depart to the World Junior Championship in Georgia with the New Zealand U20 team.
"Jackson has been a major asset for us in the last few weeks, he is playing very good footy. Our team will miss him but it is good to see him going on to bigger things," Mitchell said.
Star also became the first winners of the new Glenn "Buck" Buckingham Memorial Trophy. Star and Woodlands each year have the Phil "Scruffy" Butt Trophy up for grabs in the holder’s first home game between the two clubs. The Glenn "Buck" Buckingham Memorial Trophy is now to be played for in alternate games each year between Star and Woodlands.
Glenn Buckingham was a former premier coach at Star, helping the club to Galbraith Shield success in the early 2000s. Buckingham sadly died in January after a short battle with cancer.
The Eastern Northern Barbarians maintained their unbeaten record after seven rounds of the competition when they beat Pirates Old Boys 29-10 at Surrey Park in Invercargill.
Barbarians scored three tries during the five minutes before halftime to lead 29-5.
Coach AJ Aitken was happy with how his team performed.
"I thought our first 40 minutes was the best we’ve produced in the last two years."
The boys were dominant and played with structure, Aitken said.
"The attack was pretty polished. It’s coming together nicely and long may it continue."
Barbarians first five-eighth Tayler Peterson was man of the match. Peterson directed the play accurately and his punting and running game were spot-on. Loosehead prop Callum Kerswell impressed on debut for 50 minutes. Morgan Mitchell on the other side of the scrum scored two of his team’s five tries.
Openside Ben Hill and No 8 Brenton Howden are playing consistently well this season. Lock Harrison Morton produced an outstanding 30 minutes when he came off the bench. Left wing Banuve Dretiverata and centre Ryan McFaul also impressed.
POB had all the ball in the second half but the Barbarians defence was very good. One try to POB wing Sosefo Fatai was the only scoring in the second half. POB were without their hooker Shaun Kempton and lock Craig Smith on Saturday.
Invercargill Blues’ 26-17 win over Marist in Appleby was their first win of the season.
The Barbarians are at the Gore Showgrounds to play Woodlands. The Barbarians’ strong loose forwards contingent is expected to be bolstered by Sam Fischli, who is eager to impress prior to the Stags season. Fischli has been playing for the Taieri club in Dunedin.
Two further quality players returning from injury for the combined team this week are lock Woody Kirkwood and prop Tom Scanlon.
Pirates Old Boys will be looking to get their groove back this Saturday when they host Marist at Surrey Park, while Star will be hoping to build on their recent form when they head south to take on Blues.
Results
Division 1: Wyndham 29 Riverton 13; Pioneer 40 Tokanui 17; Waikiwi 40 Waikaka Riversdale Vikings 35; Edendale 70 Albion 0.
Division 2: Midlands 54 Ohai-Nightcaps-Otautau 17; Woodlands B 27 Star 19; Central Pirates 30 Te Anau 29; Pirates-Old Boys B 36 Mossburn 10.
Division 3: Marist B 36 Blues B 17, Waiau Star 19, Wakatipu B 15; Collegiate 38 Wrights Bush 3; Drummond-Limehills-Star 28 Bluff 22.
Women: Star 102 Blues 5; Pioneer 40 Marist 12.
By John Langford