Waikiwi Cause Upset in Galbraith Shield Rugby ... 1971

K. Suddaby, D. McLean and A. Whittaker.

It was a day of upsets or near upsets when the third series of matches for the GS Rugby in 1971.  The two leaders in the competition, Marist and Invercargill won by slender margins and held their positions at the top of the table.
H. Townsend and D. Crombie both extended their good form, but the Waikiwi back who made the best impression was the light mid-field player, G. Ballantyne.  His tackling was terrific and he ran with pace.
Waikiwi produced a new full-back with considerable talent in Kerry Popham who was promoted from the lower grades for the match.  He ran into the backline well and was safe on defence.
Waikiwi won the match 14-11.
Old Boys had another game which would make the coaches wonder what they have to do to win matches.  Tom Pryde played well in the forwards, winning a good amount of ball at number two in the lineouts and doing more than his share of work in the tight.
However, the best Old Boys forward was the backrower, I . Maze who gave a covering performance which must have brought him to attention of the selectors for the town team.
G. Barnes was an astute and nuggety half-back, who had his best game, with L. Lumsden much improved, with Ian Polson playing with his usual class.
Old Boy's drew away to a 11-3 lead which should have been enough to win the game, however Waikiwi had another story.
WAIKIWI: Dickson, Townsend (1) tries, Townsend (1) Con (2) PG
OLD BOYS: D. Clayton, Lumsden (1) tries, Polson (1) Con (1) PG 

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