Southland elected to bat first in the season opener, finishing on 264 runs.
Opener Kieran Lloyd (92) set the platform and combined with Aaron Hart (38) in putting on 111 for the second wicket.
Cam Ottrey (38) and Jed Mockford (28) also made contributions, but Sukhdev Singh was lethal for Otago Country, taking six for 53 in 24 overs.
Otago Country opener Josh Shackleton (51) set the pace but captain Cam Jackson (109 not out) and Kevin Loggenberg (51 not out) guided them home, putting on 144 for the fifth wicket.
In Oamaru, South Canterbury thumped North Otago, winning by an innings and 113 runs.
Ben Davenport starred for South Canterbury, bringing up his maiden Hawke Cup century and finishing unbeaten on 117.
He combined with Tom Clemett (86) to put on a 171 runs for the fifth wicket, a record fifth-wicket partnership for any Hawke Cup team against North Otago.
He linked up with Willy Wright (54 not out) to add 99 runs for the sixth wicket.
South Canterbury declared at 305 for five, sending a young North Otago side in and struggling to chase.
Jed McKerrow, making his debut for South Canterbury, ripped through the batting attack, taking his maiden Hawke Cup five-wicket bag with five for 20.
North Otago were bowled out for 65 and followed on.
Opener Hunter Wardle then top-scored in the second innings with 70 on debut.
He was eventually lbw to Sam Carlaw, who finished eight for 38 and took 10 wickets for the game.
North Otago were dismissed for 128.
