Woodlands put an end to the Eastern Northern Barbarians’ unbeaten run in the 2026 Southland premier grade competition when they won 31-27 on Saturday.
Woodlands and the Barbarians scored five tries each in the round eight match at the Gore Showgrounds but the locals could only land one conversion, whereas Woodlands converted three.
"We only had 19 players to call on but all 19 of them contributed to a massive team effort, everyone fronted," Woodlands coach Barry Smith said.
Smith credits the win to the players’ effort and the work of long-serving former Woodlands coach and mentor Damian Pine.
"Damian has been doing a bit with the team around mental skills and I reckon the boys called on that knowledge on Saturday and it paid off."
It was the Barbarians’ ‘Sponsors Day’ and ‘Ladies Day’ at the Showgrounds but the extra crowd could not quite help their team to victory.
The Barbarians were hard on attack in the closing stages and had Woodlands under severe pressure but Woodlands were able to win a turnover penalty and get clear of danger.
The Barbarians had loose forward Sam Fischli on debut. Fischli was on a path towards the Stags season but he left the field on Saturday with a dislocated collar bone.
Star snuck past Invercargill Blues 32-29 on Saturday at Appleby. Blues had earned their first win of the season last weekend and almost made it two in a row.
Both teams scored five tries and two conversions but Star first five-eighth Josh Jennings also landed a difficult penalty goal in the last minute of the game.
Blues had nine out of their 10 life members in attendance on Saturday, including Owen Todd who is turning 100 years old next month.
Star coach Brayden Mitchell said his team was lucky to escape from the game with five competition points.
"I don’t think we deserved to win. Full credit to Blues, they played well. After losing by 100 points last month to the way they’ve played in the time since shows that there is a bit about them."
Josh Jennings was one of the best for Star on Saturday and teenage winger Kasseus Henry has been playing very well in recent weeks.
Pirates-Old Boys made hard work of their game against Marist at Surrey Park before winning 19-10.
POB outscored Marist three tries to two and first five-eighth Greg Dyer converted two tries.
POB’s first try was scored by hooker Alex Fraito. It came from a typical rolling maul from a lineout close to the line. Marist scored after 20 minutes and the score remained 5-5 at halftime.
Early in the second stanza POB prop JJ Fisher barged over from a ruck close to the line. Wing Tevita Chute scored the locals’ third try out wide and Marist scored with 20 minutes to go.
On Saturday Jason Rutledge will be playing his 299th game for Woodlands when they host POB. Coach Smith is pleased to have the Woodlands B team playing the curtain-raiser match.
"We should be able to borrow a few of those guys to help fill up our team sheet."
Woodlands loose forward Caleb Karangaroa and prop Elroy Macomber are expected to be available next weekend.
Marist will host Star and the Barbarians are at home to take on the improving Blues team.
Results: Division 1: Waikiwi 26 v Pioneer 25. Wyndham 22 v Waikaka/Riversdale Vikings 17. Riverton 19 v Edendale 13. Tokanui 20 v Albion 10.
Division 2: Midlands 88 v Mossburn 12. Central Pirates 16 v Woodlands B 13. Ohai-Nightcaps-Otautau 19 v Star 19. Te Anau 20 v Pirates-Old Boys B 15.
Division 3: Waiau Star 34 v Marist B 14. Collegiate 40 v Blues B 12. Wakatipu B 45 v Drummond-Limehills-Star 29. Bluff 48 v Wrights Bush 3.
Women: Star 45 v Wakatipu 24. Marist 80 v Blues 5.
By John Langford
