Star and Woodlands will contest Southland’s Galbraith Shield final on Saturday.
It was no real surprise to see defending champion Woodlands beat Blues 22-5 in the first semifinal at Rugby Park but it was something of a shock to see Star beat Pirates Old Boys 26-24.
The unbeaten Pirates Old Boys team was a hot favourite to go on and win the Galbraith Shield, but Star carried out its game plan to perfection.
Pirates made an ominous start when hooker Josh Harwood crashed over from a lineout drive. Star halfback Hayden Edgley was next to score following a powerful run and offload from No8 Jordan Stewart. Ben Pope converted to put Star in front after 10 minutes.
Pope also kicked two penalty goals. Pirates scored another pushover try from a lineout, this time to loose forward Dustin Coveney.
Star led 13-10 at halftime, but five minutes after the resumption Pirates fullback Kepu Suli scored a seven-pointer.
POB was giving away numerous penalties at the ruck and after 56 minutes Pope kicked his third goal to close the margin to 17-16. Soon after, Star centre Jono Hayes finished a well-worked move to score in the corner.
With 10 minutes remaining centre Isaac Te Tamaki finally cut Star to pieces and put first five-eighth Greg Dyer under the posts. Dyer converted his own try to put them in front 24-21.
Star was hard on attack for the next eight minutes, a chance to level the scores from a penalty in front of the posts was turned down and Star opted to pack down a scrum. From a basic backline move replacement centre Joel Findlay scored the match-winner.
Star locks Mickey Woolliams and Jack Capil were equally impressive carrying the ball as they were at the lineout. Winger Fale Iosefa also ran the ball powerfully over the gain line from a set piece.
Old Boys halfback Josh Murrell and loose forwards Ben Keenan and Hayden Hegarty played well.
In the first semifinal Woodlands took control after the scoreless opening 30 minutes. Blues looked destined to score, but Woodlands earned a turnover and scored back-to-back tries before halftime.
In division 1, Edendale will host Wyndham in the Ack Soper Shield final this Saturday.
Wyndham upset Midlands 25-3 at Centennial Park in Winton. Before kick-off there was a moment’s silence to remember Tojo Hapuku, who died suddenly while coaching his Menzies under-14 team on Tuesday.
Waikaka had the home-ground advantage in the other semifinal but was beaten 15-10 by Edendale.
In the Gerald Dermody Shield semifinals, Mataura beat Pioneer 27-12 at Tulloch Park, and Collegiate won 35-32 in Mossburn.
- John Langford
