Pirates gallant in defeat to Invercargill in 1975.............

Star lost to Marist and Invercargill beat a gallant Pirates team to give them a one point lead in the competition.  Invercargill had to pull out all stops to beat a fired up Pirates team 17-15.  Both teams played excellent 15 man rugby and the crowd were privy to an exciting and great game of rugby.

Opposites Alan Jones (Invercargill) and Phil Jordan (Pirates) go over the touch line with Barry Belesky running on.

Pirates opened the scoring with Phil Jordan kicking a penalty goal and then Invercargill replied with Alan Dennis scoring a great try after taking a high kick on the run.  Reid Boynton then shook off a couple of tackles, passed to Barry Belesky who then kicked ahead for Robin Welsh and he beat the defence to dot down.  Just before half time Invercargill was ahead again when Murray Leach scored making it 8-7.  Robin Welsh a veteran, but shrewd character, played an outstanding role in the next try when eluding tacklers to score in the corner.  Pirates continued on to be ahead 15-8 with a try from N. Sinclair after the ball had gone through the hands of all the backs and Wayne Harper who outpaced the defence after catching a kick ahead. 
Invercargill were not to be discouraged and Gary Muir dummied after running through a gap to Keelty who offloaded it to Eddy who scored in the corner.  Beardsley kicked the penalty goal.  For Pirates Robin Welsh was impressive, still, Reid Boyton carved up some defence and this was backed up by the splendid service of half-back Trevor Tomlins.
Sam Anderson was again tireless in the forwards.  
Invercargill was relentless though and Kevin Dukes and Roger Ramsay stood out in the tight, Barry Low had his best game for some time as lock, winning good ball at the front of the lineout.  
Showing good attacking skills, but maybe needing to tighten defence the Invercargill's back; Gary Muir.
PIRATES:  Boyton, Sinclair, Harper (1) Jordon (1 PG)
INVERCARGILL: Dennis, Eddy, Leach (1) Beardsley (1Pg) (1Con).
REFEREE:  Mr M. Jarvis.
Reference: The Southland Times July 1975

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