A committed Kaikorai team shut Dunedin out of the game when it gained an upset win at Bishopscourt.
This was epitomised by a pack that went into the breakdown as a unit and dominated second-phase possession.
The key to the win was the loose trio of Blair Tweed, Mitchell Clarke and Jamie Williams, who did not give the Dunedin pack any leeway and made life difficult for the backline.
Prop Blair Laughton burst up field with the ball in hand, and lock Dave Simpson made his mark with strong tackling and bursting runs.
The lethal Dunedin backline was always on the back foot and was not able to unleash its attacking flair.
The Kaikorai backs showed they meant business after six minutes when centre Logan Moore burst 40m up the centre.
He made other strong runs that kept the Dunedin defence on its toes.
Diminutive halfback Jye Cormack had a lively game and winger Bryce Morgan played well in his first premier start.
Kaikorai stamped its seal on the game when playing into the strong wind in the first spell when winger Sam Cadogan scored two tries in the corner after blindside moves.
Kaikorai led 10-3 at the break and used the wind effectively in the second spell by booting the ball deep into Dunedin territory.
The wind and the cold rain made it difficult for Dunedin to fight back and it was virtually impossible when Cormack scored after 15 minutes to stretch the lead to 20-3.
The best players for Dunedin were flanker Simon Luke, who grabbed lineout ball at the front and was lively around the paddock, openside flanker Anthony Diack and lock Richard Thompson.
- Kaikorai 25 (Sam Cadogan 2, Jye Cormack, Clark McNab tries; Cam Rutherford con, pen), Dunedin 10 (Tumua Ioane try; Liam Edwards con, pen). Halftime: 10-3. Referee: Jeff Grubb.