Star to meet Woodlands again in 1986 semi-final to decide who is to play Invercargill in the final....

In 1986 the semi-finals of the Galbraith Shield competition saw Star and Woodlands having to play off to see who would play Invercargill in the final.

Loose forward for Woodlands, Trev Popham off loads ball to Gil Peake during their game against Star.

The game between Star and Woodlands was pretty dour due to the outcome deciding who would meet Invercargill in the final.  Old Boys were in with a chance but Star had to lose by more than six.
Woodlands opened the scoring after five minutes when flanker, Brent Shepherd scored after taking a tap penalty. Grant McKenzie converted.
Woodlands were guilty of kicking away too much possession and probably playing it too safe.
Star lost Malcolm Quinn and Geoff Tindall, but Woodlands did  not capitalise on this.
Woodlands did have a chance to score 5 min from the end when Sean Bellew raced away beating the cover defence but stepped into touch 5 m out.
The final score was Star 9 - Woodlands 6.
Reference:  The Southland Times July 1986