Brothers, Gary Cowan and Patrick Cowan both score for Mataura against Star in exciting game in 1983.....

Star only just managed to beat Mataura 15-11 in an exciting game in 1983.  Star's first five eight Evan Waddell kicked the ball ahead within one minute of the game starting, Mataura was penalised and Brian McKechnie was successful with a penalty goal.
Shaun Flynn was dominant in the scrum adding energy to the tight play and leading the forward drives.
It was one of these drives that saw Star power their way over the try line.  McKechnie converted.
Half Time - Star 9 Mataura 0
Mataura came out firing in the second half with some fierce forward play by Jack Turnbull and Gary Cowan as well as half back Wiluke Pewhairang.
Both backlines did not really see much action as the forwards were competing agressively for the ball.
Gary Cowan's brother Patrick Cowan scored a good try and Mataura heartened by this tried everything to get another, but it was the kicking of McKechnie that kept turning them back.
Star:  Shaun Flynn (1) Brian McKechnie (3PG) (1Con)
Mataura:  Gary Cowan, Patrick Cowan (1) Ken Scott (1PG)
Referee:  Murray Jarvis.

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Barry Crofts leads his team well in 3-3 draw against Tokanui 1983

Waikiwi and Tokanui had to settle for a 3-3 draw in May 1983 where the field was cut to bits from the muddy encounter.
Waikiwi had the territorial advantage by playing assertive rugby.
Before halftime Tokanui's Ken McConnell had kicked a penalty goal.
Although the game was untidy Vaughn Stronach for Tokanui showed that he had recovered well from his injury and Tokanui would be pleased that he is back in action.
At about the 60th minute Waikiwi replied with a penalty goal from No. 8 Murray Soper.
The Waikiwi captain, Barry Crofts led by example and kept his team's mind on the job.
Referee:  Arthur Gormack.

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Tony Bennett best of the Pirates Gold team against Pioneer in 1983.

Pirates Gold were lucky to win in an untidy game against Pioneer in 1983.  Sean Bellew put the first points on the board for Pirates when he scored after a great run on the blind.
Pirate's fullback shortly after, Malcolm Dewe was successful with a penalty goal.
This was the lot and the game never really rose to any great heights after halftime
Pioneer forwards played a dominating game but any good ball they got was kicked away by half back Murray Heath.
The only time Pioneer really looked like scoring was when Mark McCarthy ran more than 50m to get over the line but unfortunately lost the ball before he touched down.
For Pioneer the player to stand out was the youngster, Michael Hamlin on the wing.
For Pirates it was Tony Bennett, the energetic flanker.
It was noted by the supporters that Alan Byrne was dropped down to senior reserve for the day.
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Kevin Gaines half back for Marist puts in sound game against Waikaka in 1983.....

It must have been a day of uninspiring rugby as the game between Marist Waikaka was dreary.  It must have been the weather because most of the 70 minutes of play was in the forwards, with the Waikaka pack giving their best performance of the season.
The backs hardly saw the ball except for the last ten minutes, and the two half backs,  Kevin Gaines for Marist and Murray Collins for Waikaka put in sound displays.
Marist:  Mike Cunningham (1) John Mulvey (2PG)
Waikaka: Brian Dickison (1PG)
Referee K. Murphy.

Reference  The Southland Times May 1983