Rugby is back and boy is it good! Last weekend’s pre season hit outs were a sign of things to come, and the weekend lived up to expectations. The sun may have been noticibly absent for our men on Saturday, but our women had perfect conditions for their pre season games in Gore.

36 senior teams took the field on Saturday in the mens grades, with tight games for many in tough drizzly conditions.

Given the condensed season, complacency is not an option for teams chasing down a top two finish and a spot in their respective finals.

Premier rugby was as popular as always, with crowds turning out to watch what in the most part very close games.

In the match of the round, Pirates-Old Boys claimed a hard fought victory over Marist.

Jaye Thompson opened the scoring for Pirates-Old Boys after 17 minutes and it remained 7-0 at halftime.

Dyer dealt the telling blow in the second half when he put a pin-point cross-kick to an unmarked Corey Hoffman-Grey who went in to score to make it 12-0.

Marist struck late in the game, through a Keanu Kahukura intercept try, but that was the green-and-blacks lot as Pirates-Old Boys held onto a gutsy 12-7 victory at Surrey Park.

Meanwhile, Woodlands provided a glimpse on Saturday as to why they are regarded the 2020 competition favorites when they picked up a 24-6 victory over defending champions Blues at Woodlands.

In the other premier fixture, Star got its 2020 campaign off to a positive start with a 25-19 win over the Eastern-Northern Barbarians after leading 19-0 at halftime.

In the women’s grade, Marist and Blues travelled out to Gore for pre-season games against Pioneer and Albion.

Rugby Southland General Manager Steve Mitchell also had the privillage of visiting Central Pirates where brothers Paul and Aaron Sinclair were made life members of the club. As a life member himself, Steve said a few words at the presentation and congratulated the two on their loyalty and passion for the game.

“What I’m seeing out in our clubs is great, the people have a genuine love of their clubs and the game.” said Steve following the weekend of rugby action.

Premier

Galbraith Shield: Pirates Old Boys 12- Marist 7, Woodlands 24- Blues 7, Star 25- ENC Barbarians 19

Division 1

Ack Soper Shield- Waikaia White Star- 32- Edendale 34, Riversdale 0- Midlands 38, Te Anau 19- Wyndham 17

Gerald Dermody Shield- Tokanui 22- Pioneer 3, Wakatipu 8- Waikiwi 29, Albion 7- Mossburn Stags 31

Division 2

CJ Soper Trophy- Bluff 23- Pioneer 0, Drummond- Limehills Star 45- Blues 26, Star 5- Waiau Star 15

Life Members Trophy- Pirates-Old Boys 17- Marist 17, Bush Pirates 10- Woodlands 27, Collegiate 21- Midlands 0

Presidents

Presidents Cup- Waikaka White Star 27 – Marist 24 , Collegiate 15- Wyndham 12, Waikaia 15- Blues 10

Presidents Trophy- Tokanui 17- Pukerau 14, Star 33- Waikiwi 21

Senior Womens

Kicks off next Sunday

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