Marist beat Bluff in Southland rugby in 1946......

Marist narrowly beat Bluff in the final first round of the Invercargill Senior Rugby competition in 1946.  Bluff went out to an 11 point lead and it looked like Marist were in for a hard day.  Two penalty goals by L. F. Ward closed the gap just before half time which gave them some hope.

The teams were:  
Marist:  R. Forde, F. A. Ward, G. Moir, R. F. Rutherford, L.F. Ward, M.P. Grace, D. Branks, A.J. Crooks, J. A. McRae, J. G. Cameron, J.P. Newell, P. B. Connolly, D. Muir, F.P. Boyle, F.P. Cosgrove.
Bluff:  L. G. Calder, T. Heads, L. Craw, C. Cross, M. Finnerty, E.J. Calder, E.D. Calder, A. Eade, E. Robinson, C. Ball, A. Hough, A. Budd, A. Ramsay, F. Garty, H. Raymond.
It was a torrid forward battle and the Marist hooker was penalised in the scrum.
Bluff's - Craw kicked the penalty.
Marist replied with a great run from Grace who sold his dummy and off loaded but it did not find Ward.
Marist again let themselves down and a pass that went astray was brillantly picked up by Finnerty who showed too much speed for the defence passed to Craw who scored.  L. G. Calder converted.
The Bluff forwards marched into Marist's 25, which came from Marist failing to go down on loose ball.  Bluff had the ball at their feet and Eade secured it, went over in the corner. Con failed.
After half time, F. Ward was replaced by T.N. Forde who went into second five eight and L. Ward to centre.
Marist were hot on attack when Forde shimmied past two defenders to score. Ward converted.  11-11.
Rutherford, for Marist made a great break after being sent away by Branks.  He slipped on the line but made a quick recovery and passed to Grace to score. Ward converted.
Bluff put pressure on the Marist's line and managed to break through by Cross forcing his way over in the corner.  Calder's kick looked good for a draw but was just short.
Marist 16 - Bluff 14.  Referee Mr O. Ward.

Reference:  Marist Surprise By Beating Bluff.  The Southland Daily News.  July 1 1946