Pirates books home semi, four others in contention

After the penultimate round of Southland premier club rugby, the points table got even tighter on Saturday.

The unbeaten Pirates Old Boys team booked its home ground semifinal, while four clubs are in contention for the other three spots in the Galbraith Shield finals.

Blues, Woodlands and Marist are each on 15 points, while Star is on 10 points.

Only the Eastern Northern Barbarians are out of contention, on nine points, with one round still to play.

On Saturday, the Barbarians earned a last-minute 28-27 win over Star at Centrepoint Park.

Star first five-eighth Ben Pope was playing his 50th game for the club and kicked the game’s first penalty goal after four minutes.

The Barbarians then dominated the next 30 minutes and scored 20 unanswered points.

Two converted tries from Star closed the gap to 20-17 at halftime.

The second half was keenly fought and Barbarians grafter Brenton Howden was leading his pack with distinction.

The Baabaas scored a try with 15 minutes remaining but there was still a flurry of points to be scored in extra time.

Star impact player Junior Lafoga scored a converted try and Pope then put Star in front with a penalty goal.

The Barbarians were not to be denied and in the last play of the game, landed their own penalty goal to take victory 28-27.

Star’s lock Jack Capil again showed why he has been called into the Stags training group and Capil’s young locking partner, Mickey Woolliams, is also proving his value in the South.

Woolliams has two seasons of Mitre 10 Cup experience with Counties and played his first game for Star last week, after a long injury break.

No8 Jordy Stewart was again outstanding for Star, while teenaged midfielder Micaiah Johnston-Brown showed he has a bright future in the game.

Blues beat Marist 40-26 at Les George Oval and Pirates Old Boys beat Woodlands 32-16 at Surrey Park.

In division one’s Ack Soper Shield competition, Midlands beat Edendale 41-25 in Winton.

On Friday night, Riversdale ended Waikaka’s nine-match winning streak with a 14-7 win.

In division two, Drummond Limehills Star beat Te Anau 15-7 on club day at Drummond.

Rugged lock forward David Beer played his 100th game for DLS after a long day at the club starting off at 10am coaching his sons Henry and Archie’s Rippa Rugby team.

 - John Langford

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