Pirates Old Boys fought back to earn a 17-17 draw against Woodlands in the feature game of Southland’s Galbraith Shield competition on Saturday.
POB were favourites for the round four match at Surrey Park after recording three convincing wins, but Woodlands had a secret weapon up their sleeve.
Former Super Rugby player Marty McKenzie came out of retirement to play alongside halfback Liam Howley in his 50th game for Woodlands.
The locals held a 7-3 lead at halftime and had the wind behind them in the second half, but Woodlands scored two converted tries to lead 17-7 with 12 minutes to go.
POB centre Jaye Thompson closed the gap after scoring an intercept try, and the conversion and a penalty goal soon after by Greg Dyer locked up the scores.
A feature of the game was the kicking in general play and kick returns between former Stags McKenzie and Dyer.
Woodlands coach Richard Jones said his team had enough ball and opportunities to win the game.
"We made a couple of crucial errors.There are a few things to improve on but it’s early enough in the season yet."
Hooker Nathan Va’atausili and prop Brian Tyrell had good games in general play for Woodlands, but the lineout was patchy in the windy conditions, and POB had the pressure on at scrum time.
Tauasosi Tuimavave impressed in his first game back for Woodlands this season when slotting in at second five.
Invercargill Blues beat Star 30-17 on Star’s home ground at Waverly Park.
Powerful ball carries by captain Billy Andrews from No 8 and midfielders Kelepi Holi and Jay Naquanivalu set up the win for Blues.
The strong crossfield wind made the lineouts difficult, but the Blues scrum provided a solid base for three first-phase tries. Blues’ six tries were all good team tries that were scored all around the park by six different players.
Star led 17-15 at halftime, but Blues defence coach Mike Cunningham was happy with holding Star scoreless in the second half.
Blues coach James Wilson said both teams put together good phases of rugby, and he was pleased with his team’s progress.
"We’ve borrowed a couple of teenagers from our B team each week and it is working well. Deacan Roberts scored his first try in the premier grade on the wing on Saturday — he is going to be a good club man like his father, Daniel."
The Eastern Northern Barbarians beat Marist 50-26 in Gore.
Barbarians coach AJ Aitken said the Marist team did well.
"It was try for try in the first half, but we were clearly better in the second half."
The locals led 19-12 at the break and got stronger as the game wore on. Marist resorted to uncontested scrums after 60 minutes.
Barbarians wingers James Holland and Banuve Dretiverata impressed, as did Taylor Peterson in the No 10 jersey. Reserve props Morgan Mitchell and Mykel Sleeman provided impact.
— John Langford
