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Welcome to Yacck - we hope you have great pleasure in reading the stories from the past and would love you to make positive comments for everyone to enjoy. The Yacck Team.

Pirates win Galbraith Shield against Invercargill 1976.....

4/3/2016

10 Comments

 
PictureGarry Pankhurst accepting the Galbraith Shield from Mr Stuart Sharp, the SRFU Chairman.
It was a classic case of "Nothing to Lose" for Pirates when they won the Galbraith Shield in 1976.  On paper they were definitely the under dogs and having beaten Star the previous week in the semi-finals, they would have decided that they just had to go out and play their own game.

PictureBoynton scoring the winning try in the final of the 1976 Galbraith Shield in Invercargill.
With Invercargill looking for their third Shield win on the trot they were probably quietly confident that they could make a triple shot.
Although it was the Pirate's full 15 that played out of their skins, it was down to the last 60 seconds that sealed the game for Pirates.  Reid Boynton managed to scoop up a mis-kick from  Phillip Stevenson and run 70 metres to score under the posts.  It was a beautiful sight for the Pirates players and I think they would have been pinching themselves that it really happened.
The game was played in good spirit and it was probably more nerves than anything that caused, poor ball handling and aimless kicks.
The first points to come was against the run of play - Robertson for Invercargill scored when Stevenson had a dab on the opposite side of the field,  the ball reached McLellan, he deviated infield and when tackled off loaded to Robertson.
Pirates answered quickly with Trevor Tomlins using the blind, and first five eight, Bill Harper and Robin Welsh combining nicely to get the ball to Wayne Belesky, who had an overlap, and when confronted by Invercargill, he chip kicked infield and found Sam Anderson who crashed through two tacklers, found Muirhead and went over for try.
Pankhurst's conversion hit the upright.  SCORE  4-4
The next points came when Sam Anderson managed to win two quick rucks in the mid field and his quick hands gave Boynton the ball 45 metres out and knowing the defence was closing in gave an almighty dive over the line.
Half time went and it was Invercargill that looked the better team when they came on to the field.  Pirates seemed to have lost their mojo, but somehow, against the run of play, they managed an overlap to Boynton who ran 45 metres unopposed to score.  This started with Sam Anderson winning two rucks in succession and the ball was quickly passed through the backline to gain the overlap.
Invercargill realising they needed a change of strategy, to combat the constant pressure of the Pirate's loosies and in particular Anderson, knew they had to get the ball out wide. This paid off when   McLellan for Invercargill received the ball on an overlap and when threatened by Welsh at the 22, he chip kicked over Welsh's head, ran on to the ball and scored.
Hildyard converted which made the score 10-8.
With 12 minutes remaining, Invercargill played with restraint, probably trying to preserve the lead and just play out the final minutes for the win.
With three minutes to go Evan McLellan, instead of kicking the ball out kicked it right into the waiting hands of Reid Boyton who charged downfield to score the spectacular winning try.  Converted by Pankhurst.
The game was played in good spirits with the forwards having an even tussle. Invercargill had the advantage in the line outs with the taller players and had the positive count of 20-13. Pirate's John Pankhurst was the only one that really contested the ball at the front of the line out.
But to make up for this it was the loose forwards, led by Sam Anderson and supported Laurie Fawdray and Doug Muirhead for Pirates that were more mobile and able to secure second phase ball.
Trevor Tomlins, relatively young and inexperienced, was the general in directing play.  He linked well for his forwards to his backs and always gave his first five eight, Wayne Harper, good clean ball.
Captain and prop, Garry Pankhurst played his usual tight game and was a formidable force with the other experienced prop, Greig Spencer.
The other veteran on the field for Pirates, Robin Welsh at full back was safe and had the uncanny ability to force Invercargill players into mistake. It was this skill that saved two certain tries.
Murray Leach was in great form for Invercargill with his clean takes in the line outs a great advantage.
Barry Low and Roger Ramsay both had fine games.
Backs, Gary Muir and Phillip Stevenson showed their real form in the first 20 minutes of the second half but for some unknown reason went into a shell, just when Pirates were showing signs of cracking.  They kicked away possession time and time again.
Keith Robertson playing out of position at centre had a good all round game and scored the first try.
Hildyard at full back had his best game of the season and was strong when joining the back line and was safe on defence.
Invercargill played well but was very tentative at times, which was just enough for Pirates to take the most of these opportunities and win the shield.


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Picture
See comment below
10 Comments
Gold and Black
5/2/2016 05:16:58 am

As I remember the game it was a very exciting game to watch. Pirates had the better of the first 20 minutes with Invercargill not being able to get out of their own half.
Pirates ran the ball from broken play, usually after good load up work by the loose trio.
Pirates just could not get points on the board (sorry Garry - but you missed two attempts at goal from in front and one being only 23 metres out - you are forgiven).
Against the run of play Invercargill scored the first points.
Pirates replied with a great try resulting in Trevor Tomlins using the blind side with Bill Harper and Robin Welsh combining to give Brian Belesky the overlap, who drew in the defence and kicked a clever ball to Sam Anderson who broke through two tackles to fed Muirhead for the try. Garry's conversion hit the upright.
Half time was 4-4.
Pirates went into a quiet zone . Against the run of play Sam Anderson was his usual self and won two consecutive rucks in midfield and quick sure passing gave Reid Boynton the overlap 35 metres out.
8-4 to Pirates with 28 minutes remaining.....
Invercargill's full back entered the backline on several occasions and this ensured they broke the advantage line.
It was the sensational covering by Pirate's full-back Robin Welsh that saved two certain tries.
However the mounting pressure was too much and from Invercargill's 22 they ran the ball and McLellan received the ball with an overlap and was confronted by Welsh, he chip kicked ahead gathered in the ball and scored close to the posts. The conversion was successful.
10-8 to Invercargill 12 minutes remaining..............
The next ten minutes were scrappy with both teams trying too hard.
2 minutes to go.......
Invercargill tried to run the ball from the Pirates 22 metre line, when there was a bad pass and McLellan tried to toe the ball towards the Pirates line. You would not believe it and I think Reid Boynton could not believe it but the ball ended up in his arms and he took off upfield with only the fullback to beat, he swerved infield, pushing off Invercargill's desperate dive. Boynton scored by the left hand upright which gave Pirates the game and the Galbraith Shield.
14-10 full time.........
A great achievement and story for the history book.

Reply
Caine Aati
11/18/2017 02:32:39 am

Great piece of history.

Reply
Ken Stevenson
5/4/2016 05:37:15 pm

It was not Phillip Stevenson that mis kicked it was Even McLellan.

Reply
Yacck
5/4/2016 05:38:14 pm

You are quite right!! It was Evan McLellan. Trevor Tomlins has the video to prove it.

Reply
Doug
5/16/2016 07:55:08 pm

Just having an argument with someone as heard the 1976 Pirates boys were in town. Congrat to them. Anyway someone reckons that John Pankhurst actually played for Star at one time and he thought it was 72/73 can you confirm or deny. Thanks

Reply
Merv
5/17/2016 03:19:12 pm

Have found a programme showing John Pankhurst played for Star Senior in 1972. You owe me a jug!!

Reply
Yacck
5/17/2016 03:25:40 pm

Thanks Merv, got your download of the Star team, you will see it above. For some reason I cant put it under your comment!! Will have to work on that. Great Work. Yacck.

Reply
John Pankhurst
5/22/2016 01:33:17 am

John kindly sent his rugby CV for those of you out there - hope it settles the agrument. Thanks John - Yacck.

My rugby cv,
1958 – 1967 Pirates schoolboys
1968 Pirates 4th grade
1969 OldBoys Snr B
1970 – 1971 Star
1972 – 1983 Pirates Snrs
1984 Waikiwi Snrs
1985 – 1986 New Plymouth Old Boys

Reply
Jim - Dipton Street.
9/24/2017 02:17:18 am

This website was great and I saw with much sadness that Sam Anderson's eldest daughter passed away. I remember the family well. The one memory that stands out for me (and I often tell the story) is when Sam was training for rugby. He would come out of his house after work and start running down Dipton Street. As he passed the houses - kids would run out and start following him. It really was like the Pied Piper and a sight I will never forget.

Reply
Yacck
9/24/2017 02:20:21 am

Yes with the mob of blonde hair and freezing works singlet hanging down....
What a legend

Reply

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