The first half lacked structure, but the home side made the most of the messy play.
Clutha led by two tries inside 10 minutes but it then took several more attempts to cross the chalk again.
Clutha’s confidence was through the roof until they paid the price by rushing and trying push the final pass, which gifted possession to the visitors who were happy to clear their line and absorb pressure again.
On the half hour mark, Clutha broke through again, as halfback Sam Stratford scored his first try of the season for the Steamers side.
Clutha finished the half well with a try to No 8 Kael Merrett, going into the oranges 26-0 ahead.
Some second-half changes by the home side restored the structure and Clutha started playing as a team instead of individuals.
Toko were the first to score however as lock Ethan Harrex found his way over the line to put his side on the board.
Clutha found possession and hit back with a second try to prop Liuliu Pasina who is just too hard to stop at close range.
Toko soon followed up with a strong 10 minutes of possession which was rewarded with a try to
No 8 Kaleb Hayes.
After this, Clutha lifted a clip and finished the match with a dominant four tries to blow the score out, as Toko ran out of puff.
Clutha’s forwards set the platform, led by Max Pennell and Josh Turnbull, who both had huge matches, and first-five Dallas Kupa-Pickering and winger Pene Tevaga were stand-outs in the Clutha backline.
Toko were limping to the finish but were not using their injury woes as an excuse.
The Axemen put in another solid showing for 60 minutes before being rolled over somewhat towards the end.
Toko forwards Ethan Harrex, Kaleb Hayes, and Liam Kingma all gave lion-hearted efforts in the contact area, all three carrying well and putting their bodies on the line defensively.
Toko’s backs had a tough day with very little ball.
Winger Toby Greene looked like the goods with what little ball he received, and replacement winger Simon Scott is a name for the future.
Clutha needed five points from this match and will be happy with the outcome.
They turn their attention to their all-important clash with West Taieri next weekend at Clutha.
The win for the Steamers in this match gives them a chance of hosting a semifinal.
The Axemen have yet another huge match next weekend, with the Eddie Scott Memorial on the line against Crescent, in Kaitangata.
Clutha 57 (Liuliu Pasina x2, Kael Merrett, Junior Meafua, William Casey, Pene Tevaga, Jared Willocks, Sam Stratford, Dallas kupa-Pickering tries; Stratford 4 con; Kupa-Pickering 2 con) beat Toko 14 (Kaleb Hayes, Ethan Harrex tries; Jared Hayes 2 con) HT 26-0
By Francis Parker
