Invercargill (Blues) Secured big win over Bluff...1983

It was all Invercargill (Blues) at Rugby Park in July 1983, where Invercargill outplayed Bluff and gained two further points against a hapless port side.

The play went as follows:

Grant Soper kicked off, ball bounced in middle of field and was quickly picked up by Peter O'Callaghan at speed, which made it almost impossible for Bluff to stop.  He was tackled just before line and he managed to pass to centre, Wayne Boynton, who casually pass to winger Ian Donaldson which meant the try was a mere formality.

The Bluff team settled down after this and lock, Tony Armstrong and No. 8 Kauvai Mitiau dominated the lineouts in the first 20 minutes of game. 

The inability to convert two penalty goals meant the port team went scoreless for a long period, despite their hard work.

Tony Proctor, Invercargill, got himself out of ruck, sold a great dummy and then quickly passed to Ian Donaldson who pushed away Bluff's first five eight, Tony Neilson and then in-passed to his own first five eight, Phil Stevenson who dived over for a great try.

22 Minutes later, Invercargill attacked from within its own half and with half-back Milton Haig supporting Soper, the break was provided for winger Reid Boynton to race away and score.

After 34 minutes Donaldson attempted to clear the ball from wide out within his own 22 metre area.  However, he was tackled at the instant he took the kick and the ball went like a bullet into the midriff of the Bluff flanker Jeff Mead, who was running at full speed and close to the sideline he popped ball infield to beat a tackle and then ran along line to dive over in corner.

Invercargill, quickly responded when No. 8 TonyWinsloe capped off the second blindside movement by his team to dive over for a try.

Only 3 minutes into the second half Wayne Boynton fed Soper into the clear and he scored.
Not to be outdone, Mark Crowther, hooker and captain for Invercargill, assisted Soper with a try with some great thinking.

Into 20 minutes into the second half, Invercargill went off the boil, and failed to take control of the game.  Its final try came by way of lock, Chris Johnston getting a clean ball from Winsloe who had made a great run from a scrum.

Proctor had a fine game in the loose while lock Colin Blackie played well until leaving the field.  He overcame the early lineout disadvantages and was in control until he left.  Winsloe had a great game from the back of the scrum while halfback Milton Haig had a controlled game and nearly scored a sizzler of a try after a 55 metre break.  However, he did not have the legs to run away from the Bluff defence.  O'Callaghan was a busy worker in midfield while Soper was again sound at full-back.  

None worked harder for Bluff than No 8. Mitiau and flanker, Mark Perkins who pulled off some fine tackles.  Half-back Chris Hini directed play well in the first half, but saw less of the ball in the second half.  

INVERCARGILL:
Ian Donaldson, Phillip Stevenson, Reid Boynton, Tony Winsloe, Grant Soper, Tony Proctor and Chris Johnston tries; Soper (1) Con

BLUFF:
Jeff Mead try.

REFEREE
B. Crawford.