Invercargill (Blues) Club Notes from August 1969...

A few hardy souls braved the weather at Oreti Park and found it well worth while.  with the regular front row trio away with the Southland side they were thrilled with the amount of ball Roger Ramsay, as hooker, collected.  He seemed to get about 90 per cent.   Add to this the fact that Bruce Stephens has sharpened up his passing from the base of the scrum and the other backs received plenty of good ball to play with.  L. Lumsden went well at centre and Doug Nicol is getting ack to form, his try and conversion in the last minute being both excellent.  Greb Stanley had his best game of the season and could have scored after a very good movement if someone had not shouted for the ball at the wrong moment.  The win by 8-5 over  Collegiate was a well deserved one.

The seconds went to Waikiwi to play the local side in almost impossible conditions and covered themselves with glory to win by 19-3.

Mr G. Aker, the referee deserves credit for allowing the game to flow freely in the conditions.  Tries were sored by M. Barclay, A. Payne, B. Chamberlain and W. Matthews, while M. Barclay and J. Harley kicked conversions.  Only one member of the side recorded no points this season.  In a very good pack J. Harley, W. Green and G. Clode stood out while G. Stevens, M. Barclay and W. Matthews were pick of the backs.

The third grade side journeyed to Tokanui and were beaten 14-5 by the local boys.  The backs were looking for ball all day but the forwards were loathe to give it to them.  Tackling was poor and A. Wallace was the only player prepared to go down on the ball in the face of forward rushes.  The team was thankful for the service of four fourth-graders, one of whom, Alister McKenzie, scored a good try on the wing.

With Southern Star withdrawing from the competition, our fourth grade had a bye and the coaches were unable to arrange a friendly game  Some players have not had their names mentioned in the column and this give the writer the opportunity to mention some.  K. Knight, though lacking pace, has tried hard all season and is always in attendance.  B Agnew is a very useful hard-working prop; K. Murdoch has had to give the game up due to a head injury.  C. O'Keefe has had a mixed season with injuries and sickness; W. de Clifford a speedy winger who always tries hard; W. Murchland has done well at wing and centre; T. McPhedran could be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury; G. Walker has given good service as prop and reserve hooker.