Star retain title in women’s final

Making the most of the muddy conditions on the sideline during the Tokanui and Wyndham game are (from left) Tommy Rabbidge, 7, Reed McMaster, 7, Kiara Lingard, 4, and Brin Smith, 5. PHOTOS: EMMA TEMPLETON PHOTOGRAPHY

It was what might have been for the Albion women’s rugby side.

The women from Eastern Southland went down 46-10 in the final of the women’s competition at Rugby Park on Saturday.

The game was played in wet, greasy conditions and Albion gave it a go against a strong and talented Star side, which repeated the win from last year.

Albion lost 27-17 in last year’s final.

Tokanui halfback Jeremy Thomas is spotted by his mouthguard.

The conditions were the same for all Southland club rugby players and supporters for the 13th and last round-robin games of premier club rugby on Saturday.

The Eastern Northern Barbarians locked in third position for the finals after they beat Star 26-23 at Oreti Park.

Star, the defending champions, were already out of finals contention but they were keen to finish the season on a high. Star led 17-12 at halftime.

Barbarians fullback Tayler Peterson played at fullback in his 50th game for the club and converted three of their four tries.

The Tokanui and Wyndham teams can be barely told apart after a tough game at Tokanui on Saturday. Wyndham won 17-0 to claim the Cameron Parkinson Memorial Shield.

Barbarians wingers Harry McKenzie and Banuve Dretiverata had good games, while the veteran hooker Lachlan McCall worked hard for the 80 minutes.

The Barbarians will now play Woodlands this Saturday in one semifinal while Marist will play the minor premiership winners Pirates Old Boys for the second week in a row.

Pirates Old Boys softened up Marist 48-10 at Surrey Park on Saturday. Marist had won their previous five games and the Pirates were eager to halt their momentum.

The dead-rubber match between Invercargill Blues and Woodlands was cancelled.

Tokanui midfield back Kieran Short runs the ball up.

In the division one competition, the Waikaka/Riversdale Vikings beat Albion 23-7 on a wintry Riversdale afternoon, while Wyndham overcame Tokanui 17-0 in the mud at Tokanui.

Edendale earned a 31-21 win in a physical encounter down at Bluff. The Magpies led 17-7 at halftime.

Strong running from Jeremy McLeod, Kody Crump, Cole Williams and captain Luke Muir was the key to Edendale’s success. Luke Muir scored two of the five tries in a man-of-the-match performance.

Pioneer had a 60-5 win over Te Anau at Newman Park, while Mataura lost their division three match in Tuatapere 15-7 to Waiau Star.

By John Langford