Sevens was one of the new attractions at the 121st edition of the Browns Sports day on Saturday.
The annual sports day is the longest-running event of its kind in the province and a good crowd is always guaranteed.
Southland historian Gregor Laughton said it was the biggest crowd he had seen at the sports for nearly two decades.
"It’s the biggest for a while that’s for sure, but back in the day you could hardly find a park," he said.
The Invercargill Blues Rugby Club won all three of its games against Midlands, Wrights Bush and the local Drummond Limehills Star club. The games were played in good spirit and plans are in place to invite more clubs to participate next year.
Husky racing was another event introduced this year and also proved popular. The huskies raced around the grass track with riders being towed behind on scooters and bikes.
Grass track cycling events took place after the majority of competitors had first taken part in the 40km road race from Lorneville to Browns.
The track and field athletic events proved popular with young and old, while the South Island sheaf tossing championship gives the sports day another point of difference. Sheaf tossing hails from Scotland. A pitchfork is used to hurl a burlap bag stuffed with straw over a horizontal bar above the competitor’s head.
- John Langford