Colin Davis reason why Star is in final with Invercargill - 1975...

Star and Invercargill fought out the final of the 1975 Galbraith Shield and it was all thanks to Colin Davis for Star that they reached this position.  It was disappointing for Marist and  Tokanui as they showed great form during the season but lost vital games during the season.

It was difficult to realise that Star actually got to the lead of the competition as they were  not in the running due to a number of injuries that seriously depleted their forward stock.  Colin Davis was called upon and it went to show that great rugby skills can count for a lot as he was a key player in the defeats of Tokanui and Pirates.  Star has always been blessed with great forwards, such as Harry Keil, Barry Leonard, Snow Martin and Alwyn Eade, the loss of Jim McKenzie and Bob Barber meant the club was going to struggle in places they usually dominate.  Davis had said he could not commit himself to the team and would not attend trainings as needed but he would fill in when required.  In spite not having played seriously for two years, he took the field against Tokanui and was the best forward on the field.  Kevin Stevens injured his hand and Colin Davis was again taking the field along with his team mate Phillip Butt who came back after a serious injury to his ribs to help out his old club.  Butt was more than adequate at No. 2 in the lineout.   
Tokanui dislodged Invercargill from the top of the ladder with a great win and the only positive Invercargill could take from the game was that Tokanui would have beat anyone on the day they way they played.  
Marist were impressive by beating Collegiate by 6 tries to nil winning 40-3.  You would not have taken a punt on Marist to win the competition early on in the season as they were a very fickle team.  
Ron Cardno is was leading the point scoring competition with 77 points.  Only three players had reached the 50 point milestone and one of them was Keiren Fahy from Woodlands and Brian Beardsley, Invercargill Club and Jana Takatimu who had scored 16 points in the last game which took his total to 62.  
Leading try scorer in 1975 was Evan McLellan who has scored 11 tries and was toured the country with the New Zealand juniors.
Alistair McKenzie (Star) 9, Lin Booth (Star) 7, John Eddy (Invercargill) 7, John Ryder (Star) 6, Stuart Dermody (Tokanui)6.
Reference:  The Southland Times July 1975

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