In a game of few clear chances, Northern got the only goal in the 33rd minute when Rory Hibbert scored from close range.
Timaru's Northern Hearts overcame Green Island at Sunnyvale 3-2.
The home side took the lead in the 10th minute through Sam Mitchell, but the Hearts had the halftime lead of 2-1, after Bailey Chambers equalised in the 33rd minute and Tyler Cunningham scoring right on half time.
Hearts made sure of the win when Chambers scored his second in the fifth minute off added time and Matt Hanrahan pulled one back for Green Island one minute later.
The Royals had a close fought 3-2 win over the new team in the league, Old Boys from Invercargill.
First half goals to Ryan Mairs and Lewis Deaker had the Royals in control.
It took a penalty from skipper George Barker in the 72nd minute to restore the two goal buffer after Old Boys’ Zachary Tull pulled one back just after the hour mark.
Old Boys substitute Luca Hook scored with three minutes to go, leaving new Royals coach Zane Green a nervous wait to secure his first win.
Otago University, under new coach Terry Boylan, had a good 3-1 win on the road against Queens Park in Invercargill.
The game was tied 1-1 at the break when Ryo Okuyama equalised in the 40th minute following the students opening goal through Ashton Hodson.
The students made sure of all three points when Finley Husheer scored early in the second half and George Willett scored a late winner.
In the Women's South Island League Otago University continued its good early season form, overpowering Halswell United 8-0.
University attacked from the onset and a cross in the fourth min resulted in Halswell scoring an own goal.
The students continued to press high and the game was over as a contest by half time with University leading 5-0 with goals to Aynsley Martin, Ruby Braithwaite, Georgia Nixon and Madison Kay.
Coach Hamish Phillip made some early second half changes and the goals continued with Isla Ganle, and Nixon and Kay nabbed their second.
Roslyn-Wakari picked up a point in a 1-1 draw with Universities of Canterbury when Amelie East-Gilies equalised in injury time and the Royals had a big 5-0 win on the road to NW United.
By Neville Watson
