July 15th, 2022

Pirates gold proved too strong, beating Waikiwi, 17-3 at Oreti Park in July 1983.
Scrappy play was the order of the day with cold biting conditions and a constant driving rain inhibiting imaginative play.
Waikiwi seemed to confine its tactics to spoiling Pirates Gold possession and gaining ground using kick and chase methods.
However, late in the second half the red and blacks began to spin the ball.
PG held on to a fair share of possession from the tight phase, but had to work harder against Waikiwi's pack in the loose.
In the lineouts Waikiwi lock Brian Rophia performed well with solid support from props Gary Sherlock and Dave Roberts in the drive.
A player who stood out in the loose play was Pirates Gold captain and No. 8 Alister Walker. He spearheaded the team's attacking play and the pack provided plenty of ball for half-back Rex Pankhurst.
PG winger Neville McDowell handled the ball well and ran hard against the trying cold wind.  His form was rewarded when he scored his team's first try after 15 minutes.
Malcolm Dewe took his team into a 7-0 lead at half time with a penaly goal into the wind.
Early in the second half both teams ran the ball more moften with PG back, Casey Hughes, Barry Beleski and Ian McMurdo, having their share of ball these two scored tries.
Waikiwi never gave up trying to score and when the final whistle blew it was hard on attack.  However, at the end of the day it only had a Eugene Skerrett penalty goal and a conversion.
PIRATES GOLD:
Neville McDowell, Casey Hughes, Barry Beleski tries; Malcolm Dewe (1) PG (1) Con
WAIKIWI:
Eugene Skerrett (1) PG
REFEREE
R. Grimmett.