Round five of premier club rugby in Southland was played on Thursday night before Easter, and two of the three games went against the form guide.
Invercargill Blues upset the Eastern Northern Barbarians 24-12 after leading 17-5 at halftime at the Les George Oval.
Blues front-rowers Ben Soper and Jeremy Borland were playing their 100th games for the club and they both grafted away admirably for 80 minutes each against the strong Barbarians forward pack.
Blues midfielders Kelepi Holi and Jay Naqianivalu made inroads with their ball-carrying.
After going winless last season, Blues have now surprised most southern club rugby followers by winning three of their first five games this year.
Star earned a 15-12 win over the competition favourites, Pirates Old Boys.
Star made the best start to the game on their home field and kicked the first penalty goal after 15 minutes.
POB scored a converted try after 30 minutes, but Star hit straight back with a converted try of their own.
POB were without regular playmakers Greg Dyer and Kaia Nikora-Balloch on Thursday night, but they hit the lead, 12-10, before halftime with a try to prop Thomas Jennings.
Star scored the only try in the second half and held on to win 15-12 in a scrappy encounter.
It was a gritty effort from Star, who had several of the club’s B team players filling in and, even then, Star only had 20 players stripped.
Loose forwards Zyon Walters and Dylan Lovett defended well, and teenager Sam Mustchin did a good job at first five.
Woodlands scored six tries in their 39-13 victory over Marist at Woodlands. The home side defended well in the first half and led 13-3 at the break.
Second five Fletcher Morgan and lock Alex Yallop were the game’s best players.
Southland’s premier competition will resume before duck-shooting weekend on April 30.
— John Langford
