Freeman helps his team Old Boys win Galbraith Shield in 1968........

Old Boys won the Galbraith Shield in 1968 after seven years of holding it.  They won jointly with Invercargill in 1945 and again in 1961.
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Half back, R Freeman kicks for touch with team member Tom Seato looking on.

It is now 1968 and faced Invercargill in the final.  The field was muddy and the ball heavy, sot it was good to see both teams used their backs and spun the ball wide.
Old Boys had the wind at their backs in the first half and this resulted in them being ahead 8-0 at half time.
Dominant in the forwards for Old Boy's was prop, N.Crozier, and the tall No. 8 W. Welsh.
In the second half after Old Boy's scored an early try, the pace slowed and the second string Invercargill team picked up his game.
Invercargill lost many opportunities and this was mainly by kicking too much, one time during the match, Trevor Keelty kicked the ball ahead when handy to the Old Boy's line and had three backs outside him - all unmarked.
A newcomer to the Blues team, flanker, F. Cooper, played well and will be seen as a permanent senior player in the future.
Old Boy's half back, R. Freeman had a good game and gave great little kicks over the Blue's forwards.  He scored one good try for his team and came close with another. He was well supported by first five eigth, N. Cuff, and R. D. Thompson gave a solid display.
Invercargill's John Healey, captain for the day took his teams kicks in the absence of Southland and Invercargill full back, D. A. Nicol.
Old Boys:  Thompson, Bruce Robertson, Freeman (1) Crozier (1Con)
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Brian McEwan outstanding for Pirates in curtain raiser against Star in 1968........

In the curtain raiser, Pirates and Star gave a good display of open rugby with Pirates handling the wet conditions better coming out the winners 19-11 with half time score being 6-6.
Brian McEwan was the outstanding player for Pirates, scoring one try, made two others and saved a certain try.
Pirates:  K. Adams, B. McEwan, G. Bone, N. McEwan, K. Dixon (1) B. McEwan (2 Con)
Star:  W. Crighton,  (1) P. Jarvis, (1) (1PG) (1Con)

Reference:  Old Boy's Second Shield Win Since 1945.  The Southland Times  August 1968