Bruce Pascoe scores two tries for Pirates against Invercargill in 1983...

Pirates scored a shock win over Invercargill in 1983.  They did not let Invercargill play their usual game they came out the victors 18-6. Pirates scored three tries to nil supported each other well to stop Invercargill attacking.

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Paul Macfie, first five eight for Pirates waits on a pass from Trevor Tomlins, half back. From left were; Mark Crowther (Invercargill), Andrew Borland, John Grice, Chris Johnston, Jeff Roger, Duncan Wait and Geoff Clark.

It was a new look front row for Pirates with Geoff Clark and John Grice at props and Jeff Rogers at hooker.
Doug Templar was the forward of the day who got through a huge amount of work.  He hustled the Invercargill back line all day making it a miserable time for them.
The combination of Trevor Tomlins at half back and Murray Brown at first five eight.
Invercargill's half back, Milton Haig made a break from the scrum and with no support and being swamped by the Pirates loosies, his pass to Wayne Boynton was off-song and this was probably their only chance of scoring that disappeared.  Tony Hammington for Invercargill at flanker was probably their most useful player, but he lacked support when needed.
Pirates were up 3-0 at the 18th minute when Kevin Burns scored a penalty goal.
From a ruck at the half way line, Templar charged up field and off loaded where the ball was moved through the back line with Ross Poulson timing his pass to precision to put Bruce Pascoe over in the corner.
A penalty goal was successful by Kevin Burns in the 29th minute.
Invercargill's second five eight, Philip Stevenson was caught in a tackle, a ruck was set up which came out the Pirate's side.  Out the back line to Kevin Burns who held the ball for the exact time he off loaded to Bruce Pascoe who scored in the corner.
45 minutes, Grant Soper kicked a penalty goal for Invercargill.
A line out throw won by Invercargill was misplaced and Andrew Borland for Pirates took the throw at the back of the Pirate's line, he ran behind the backline and chip kicked where Jeff Rogers toed the ball on which was eventually knocked forward by the opposite, Grant Soper.
A ruck was formed and it came out again on the Pirates side, where half back, Trevor Tomlins looked left and right and opted for the blind side, where winger Roger Kilpatrick saw his move and charged down the side line to receive the pass and saw that he was going to run out of room, passed back inside to Borland who scored.
In the 67th minute, Grant Soper kicked another penalty goal.
Referee was M. Jarvis.

Reference:  McConnell, L. Pirates Wins Surprise Win of Season.  The Southland Times May 1983.

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Sean Bellew saves the day for Pirates Gold against Wyndham in 1983...

In 1983 Pirates club were that strong that they had two senior teams in senior club rugby in Invercargill.  
Pirates Gold beat Wyndham 11-9.
It was the likes of Donald Sutherland and Paul Rakda for the gold team that drove well and gave their backs a lot of clean ball.
It was this type of play that saw first five eight, Allan Hughes shimmer his was through tackles to score a well deserved try.
In reply, Wyndham's John Hellier kicked a penalty goal to make the score 4-3 for half time.
Bruce Robertson was leading Wyndham on and worked untiringly to try to get his team on top.
Pirates had a lack of conentration for about 10 minutes and something jolted them awake, which was probably the realisation that they could lose this game.
Sean Bellew saved the day for Pirates by kicking a penalty goal and then moments later picked up an awkward ball to sprint down the touchline to put his team in the lead.
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