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 more sharply.
No 8 Hayden Hegarty scored the first try for POB and midfielder Napo Surulele made it 12-0 after 18 minutes.
But Woodlands then finally clicked into gear and came back with 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 to 24-17 with 15 minutes remaining.
POB were able to hold on to that margin and thus retained the ‘‘Cassie Cup’’, named after Paul Cosgrove who had been a valued character at 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,’’ Smith said.
Lock Riley Smith was the most valuable player for Woodlands, while try-scoring prop Bryan Tyrell also impressed.
Star beat Marist 29-7 at Waverly Park.
Victorious coach Brayden Mitchell said it was a good win, but an ugly one.
"It was only ugly due to weather — it was tough enough just standing there watching,’’ Mitchell said.
Marist scored right on halftime to lock up the score 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 also had a good day.
Fullback Nate Corbett scored and first five Sam Mustchin converted three of the four tries and a penalty.
Corbett was good; he went looking for work and was a strong ball runner.
Left wing Fale Iosefo scored a try for Star to celebrate his 100th game.
Marist were missing a few of their key players, so they did well to compete as strongly 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 to remain the competition’s leading try-scorer.
By John Langford
