Conditions were near perfect on Saturday for round two of Go Bus Southland Wide Senior Mens Club Rugby which meant we could see some running rugby! 

Woodlands, Marist and Blues were the winners in the Galbraith Shield encounters.

Blues earned a 23-20 come-from-behind victory over Star at Balmoral Dr.

Star co-coach Chris McIlwrick said his team probably should have won the game but a lack of discipline cost them. 

"We never held the ball for long enough. We either kicked it away or were penalised," he said.

Star led 10-3 at halftime and 17-13 after 60 minutes. In the closing stages, when the score was 20-20, a Star player was penalised for leaving his feet at the ruck. Blues goal-kicker Blake Tempero landed the winning points.

Blues second five-eighth Kelepi Holi and fullback Brad Kooman were both impressive. Kooman showed his electric pace to run around his opposites and score a try on the outside. Utility forward Ray Tatafu also made an impact.

Star front-rowers Chris Apoua and Greg Pleasants-Tate played well with Star No8 Jordan Stewart putting in a standout performance. 

Woodlands had a 53-15 win over Pirates Old Boys at Surrey Park, in Invercargill. Discipline was lacking in this game, too, and five players spent time in the sin bin.

Pirates Old Boys were right in the game at halftime, down 15-20 but Woodlands scored 33 unanswered points in the second half.

Marist had a 13-8 win over the Eastern Northern Barbarians at the Gore Showgrounds. 

In the Ack Soper Shield division one competition, Edendale earned a 22-19 win over Te Anau. The scores were locked at 7-7 at halftime. Edendale scored three second half tries, including a penalty try. Edendale's Luke Muir racked up his 150th game for the club. 

In Wyndham, the locals beat Midlands 16-10, and in the third game a good defensive effort helped Riversdale to a 12-5 win under Waikaka’s new lights on Friday night.

Mossburn, Tokonui and Pioneer are the current form teams in the Gerald Dermody Shield, all taking a convincing win on Saturday.

Sunday brought round one of the women's competition. Blues came out firing and remained dominant for the full game to claim a huge 73-0 win over Pioneer, while defending champions Marist took the win 25-5 over Albion. 

Premier

Galbraith Shield: ENC Barbarians 8- Marist 13, Blues 23- Star 20, Pirates-Old Boys 15- Woodlands 53

Division 1

Ack Soper Shield- Waikaka White Star 5- Riversdale 12, Wyndham 16- Midlands 10, Edendale 22- Te Anau 19

Gerald Dermody Shield- Mossburn 34- Waikiwi 0, Tokanui 55- Wakatipu 0, Pioneer 38- Albion 7

Division 2

CJ Soper Trophy- Pioneer 17- Star 20, Waiau Star 19- Blues 17, Bluff 31- Drummond Limehills Star 14

Life Members Trophy- Woodlands 17- Midlands 22, Marist 43- Bush Pirates 15, Pirates Old Boys 12- Collegiate 38

Presidents

Presidents Cup- Waikaka White Star 5- Waikaia 20, Marist/Bluff 22- Collegiate 22, Wyndham 36- Blues 26

Presidents Trophy- Tokanui 38- Star 7, Pukerau TBC- Central Pirates TBC 

Senior Womens

Womens Cup- Albion 5- Marist 25, Blues 73- Pioneer 0

Go Bus are proud partners of Southland Senior club rugby. Go Bus have been providing transport options across Southland for many years . They take pride in working closely with their customers, to provide stress free and affordable transport options for small and large groups. 

Photo Credit: Debbie Fahey 

Article added: Monday 29 June 2020