Missed goal gave Pirates the win over Invercargill in 1957.

This was the second shock defeat for Blues in 1957 which left Pirates and Marist on the top of the table.  Pirates 11-9 win against Blues was unexpected but Marist were on song beating Old Boys 21-3, although the score did flatter the winners.  Collegiate beat star 15-11 which was a game of a fierce battle between the two forward packs

With time showing up on the clock Russell Thwaites had the opportunity to win over Pirates. the penalty was awarded after a Pirates skirmish on the try line, but they had to wait for an injured Pirates player to be attended to until Thwaites could kick the goal.  The ball went right of the posts. Blues definitely looked the better team and enjoyed a territorial advantage it was down to the goal kicking which turned out to be the crux of the game. 
Blue's kicker, Thwaites, not only missed the penalty at full time, but also kicked two 'posters' and if these had succeeded it would have given Blues the game.  At one time during the game Blues led 9-3 but Pirates would not bow down and stubbornly and when Blues seemed to have the game in hand a penalty goal to Ted Mortimer saw the score at 9-6.  M Dempster then fed the ball to J. Cowan who scored in the corner for Pirates 
Blues also scored a try, which occurred by G. Erskine, who made a break through by seizing a loose ball from a scrum. Erskine and Hern both showed great play in the loose and played with plenty of drive.  At one stage Hern picked the ball up and tucked it under his arm and shot past 8 would be tacklers and was stopped just short of the line by Mortimer.  D Hayes, three-quarter showed great form on attack and Mortimer was steady at full-back.