PHOTO: ODT FILES Southland premier club teams were back in action on Saturday after their competition took a break for the King’s Birthday weekend. Star firmed up their spot in fourth position on the points table after beating Woodlands 27-20 at Waverly Park in Invercargill. Both teams scored a try each during the first 20 minutes. Woodlands were playing the better rugby but Star were able to stay in the fight and go into halftime with the scores level at 12-12. Woodlands led 17-12 after 60 minutes but the home team scored twice and kicked a conversion and a penalty. Woodlands closed to 27-20 and were attacking the Star line in the concluding stages. Star coach Brayden Mitchell said the gritty win was celebrated appropriately. ‘‘The clubrooms were packed afterwards and it was a good night for the club.’’ Youngster Kasseus Henry played a good game on the right wing and vastly experienced 40-year-old lock Josh Bekhuis deserved to score his try. Halfback Jackson Hughan also scored one of Star’s four tries. Hughan was playing his last game for Star for the season as he prepares to depart to the World Junior Championship in Georgia with the New Zealand under-20 team. ‘‘Jackson has been a major asset for us in the last few weeks,’’ Mitchell said. ‘‘He is playing very good footy. Our team will miss him but it is good to see him going on to bigger things.’’ The Eastern Northern Barbarians maintained their unbeaten record after seven rounds of the competition when they beat Pirates Old Boys 29-10 at Surrey Park. Barbarians scored three tries during the five minutes before halftime to lead 29-5. Coach AJ Aitken was happy with how his team performed. ‘‘I thought our first 40 minutes was the best we’ve produced in the last two years. ‘‘The attack was pretty polished. It’s coming together nicely and long may it continue.’’ Barbarians first five Tayler Peterson was man of the match. Peterson directed the play accurately, and his punting and running game were spot on. Loosehead prop Callum Kerswell impressed on debut for 50 minutes. Morgan Mitchell, on the other side of the scrum, was able to score two of his team’s five tries. Openside Ben Hill and No 8 Brenton Howden are playing consistently well this season. Lock Harrison Morton produced an outstanding 30 minutes when he come off the bench. Left winger Banuve Dretiverata and centre Ryan McFaul also impressed. POB had all the ball in the second half but the Barbarians defence was very good. One try to winger Sosefo Fatai was the only scoring in the second half for POB, who were without hooker Shaun Kempton and lock Craig Smith. Invercargill Blues’ 26-17 win over Marist in Appleby was their first win of the season. — John Langford
