Four sides still in final contention
WOODLANDS, Marist, Pirates Old Boys and Star are all still in contention for the Galbraith Shield final heading into the final round of matches this Saturday.
Woodlands was already assured of its spot in the final before thrashing Star 547 at Waverly Park. Star had some key players unavailable and was outclassed from the start.
Pirates Old Boys snuck past the Eastern Northern Barbarians with a 1410 win.
The visiting team led 50 at halftime but Pirates gained some ascendancy in the third quarter and scored two converted tries. Barbarians hooker Lachie McCall was effective at the breakdown, as was blindside flanker Jacob Coglan. Fullback Rory Van Vugt was another top performer for the visiting side.
Pirates forwards Ben Keenan, Hayden Hagerty and Craig Smith were major contributors to the victory. Hookers Josh Harwood and Tua Tuapati provided a quality onetwo punch. First fiveeighth Greg Dyer also played well.
Blues has had a tough season but everything clicked on Saturday when it beat Marist 2922 at Balmoral Drive.
Blues cocoach Simon Frisby said it was the first 80minute performance of the season.
‘‘Our tight five were very tired after the game; they made some heavy carries,’’ he said.
‘‘The boys were up for it. We’ve had a lot of bad luck this season, but the team has showed some great character.’’
Ben Soper had a fine game, hitting the ball up hard while openside flanker Jo McKinnell put in another top performance.
No 8 Areese Boliko returned to action after three weeks off and scored two tries, one off the back of a tighthead and carried three defenders over the line with him.
Frisby thinks Boliko has the potential to play for Southland in the future. Another Blues player who continues to push for higher
honours is wing Brad Kooman.
In the Ack Soper Shield division one competition, Midlands beat Wyndham 2512 in Winton, Te Anau was defeated on its home turf 2515 by Edendale, while Riversdale downed Waikaka 159 in the deadrubber match.
In division two, Waikiwi knocked Mossburn out of final contention with a 3114 at Donovan Park.
Drummond Limehills Star moved into second in the CJ Soper Trophy after beating competition leader Bluff at Limehills.