Otago has taken control of the under-16 section after the second round of the South Island age-group team championships on the Templeton course in Christchurch.
Otago started yesterday one shot behind Canterbury but now goes into the final round with a 13-stroke advantage over its northern neighbour.
The team had all four counting scores in the 70s, led by captain Hayden Robertson on 71. Liam Judkins shot 77 and Parker Aluesi and Noah Novacek both fired 79.
Canterbury could not repeat its first-round effort and opened the door for the young Otago quintet by counting an 83 and an 85 in its team total.
In sharp contrast, Canterbury continued to dominate the under-19 contest and has a 34-stroke advantage over Otago.
Jack Turner shot 73, Kyle Clark 74 and Callum Judkins 75. George McDonald and Daniel Arneson also finished in the 70s.
Southland No 1 Liam Hewitt (Queens Park) shot 72 and 69 to lie fourth in the under-19 individual honours, while Callum Judkins (Wakatipu Junior) is the best placed Otago player, in seventh.
In the under-17 event, Hayden Robertson (Taieri Lakes) is in with a chance after adding a sub-par 71 to Wednesday's 72.
Liam Judkins (Wakatipu Junior) is sixth in the under-15 event, six behind section leader Jaewoo Son (North Shore).
