Clutha Valley maintained its lead in the South Otago Premier rugby championship with a 55-10 win over Owaka.
Clutha Valley played well, running in nine tries. No 8 Peter Bennie scored three times.
In the backs, Cameron Johnston directed play well. Valley led 31-3 at halftime, and was never in danger of defeat.
Lawrence scored a 30-7 win over Crescent in a game that was a lot closer than the score indicated.
Lawrence led 20-5 at the break, but the Crescent forwards lifted their game, and kept Lawrence on defence for much of the second spell.
Pace in the backs won the game for Lawrence, whose halfback James Kenny was outstanding. Outside him, Lance Taylor scored 15 points and now has 196 for the season.
Crescent forwards played strongly, being well led by Kerian Pilkington.
In a tight forward affair, Clutha held on grimly against a spirited Clinton side to win 10-0, after leading 7-0 at halftime.
They were well led by Simon Grant and Kurt Turnbull in the loose, while Tyler Bichan was the best of the backs. Clinton played superbly, with Hayden Tapp at No 8 in grand form.
Heriot, after leading 26-7 at halftime, beat Toko 45-7. Heriot had 26 points up in the opening 20 minutes, but lost its way in the second spell.
For Heriot, Dillon McKenzie and Shaun Tauti showed out in the pack.
In the backs Mike McHutcheon, who has been overseas, was in outstanding form, scoring three tries in the second spell. Kyle Sterry, at first five-eighth, was another to play well, landing five conversions, while Jai Cormack was sound at halfback.
- Norman Woods
