They got on the board early as No 8 Samu Babiau crashed over to open the scoring.
Otago Country fired back with a penalty off the boot of first five Brady Kingan, and they snatched the lead through a Ben Sisson try out wide.
That gave Country an 8-5 lead heading into the sheds.
Despite the low score at the break, it was a fast-paced and action-packed first 40 minutes.
Both teams were willing to make use of the sunny conditions and played with plenty of width.
The start of the second half was an old-fashioned arm wrestle.
Defence was the focus as both sides held strong when tested.
Eventually, the Old Golds found a way through.
They were able to build pressure in the Otago Country 22 when Babiau caught the visitors sleeping at the ruck.
He sped through a gap and completed the double to put his side in front.
A second Kingan penalty a few minutes later reduced the gap to just one.
But a messy clearance off the kickoff led to Country being penalised and North Otago switched into attack mode.
They made their way into the 22, where Greg Dyer threw a dummy to lose his man and stroll in to score untouched.
Otago Country had plenty of ball to play with in the final 15 minutes but just could not crack the staunch North Otago defence.
For the visitors, lock Dean Sinnamon and No 8 Conor Lawson were workhorses, while Kingan and halfback Jared Edwards led the team around the park well.
North Otago’s set piece was a real strength, while captain Mat Duff was classy as always and Fergus Read brought plenty of physicality from the second row.
Tini Feke, usually a halfback, showed off his versatility and put in a good shift at second five.
It was the final preseason fixture for the Old Golds, who open their Heartland Championship campaign against Horowhenua-Kapiti in Oamaru this Saturday.
Representative rugby
The scores
North Otago 17
Samu Babiau 2, Greg Dyer tries; Dyer con.
Otago Country 11
Ben Sisson try; Brady Kingan 2 pen.
Halftime: Otago Country 8-5.
