All three of Saturday's quarterfinal matches were played before large congregations of club faithful, despite competition for affection at both representative and international level.
University A led the charge into the semifinals with a resounding 52-12 victory over Harbour at the University Oval.
The John Leslie-coached side outplayed Harbour in all facets, running in eight tries, one of which was to co-coach and ex-All Black Josh Kronfeld, who ran on for the final 20 minutes as a replacement for lock Josh Townsend.
Home-ground advantage accounted for little as Dunedin turned the tables on the pre-match favourite, overcoming Kaikorai 21-11 at Bishopscourt, and Alhambra-Union blitzed Southern 31-3 with some skilful running rugby.
In next weekend's semifinals University A will play Dunedin, and Alhambra will play Kaikorai. Kaikorai is in as a result of being the highest-ranked losing side, while the other two losing sides, Southern and Harbour, will play off for fifth and sixth places.
University A - 52
Harbour - 12
A rampant University A side raced into next weekend's semifinal with a 52-12 victory over Harbour at the University Oval.
The University A dominance began with its forward pack laying a platform for its backs to run the Harbour side ragged.
All Harbour's points came by way of opportunity: first five-eighth Nalu Tuigamala scored in the opening minute of the second half when he robbed his opposite, Shaan Davis, of the ball in a tackle and ran 60m. Then, with the students letting their guard down in the final minute, open-side flanker Nathan McLachlan scored.
But it was all University A, the forwards, particularly the tight five, playing like men possessed, and the backs running and spreading the ball wide at every opportunity, with Harbour seldom out of its own half.
The tight five cleaned out at the break-down, while captain and No 8 Kieran Williams set a high standard for the rest of the pack.
With the inside backs delivering good ball, second five-eighth Eli Paewai and centre Ryan Grant were able to find danger man David Thompson, who scored two first half-tries.
Left wing Randell Kamea and fullback Ben Hones also put their names on the scorecard.
University A had lost nine players in the Otago squad and one with the All Blacks, but their absence seemed hardly to be noticed. The side will now prepare for a semifinal with a resurgent Dunedin.
• University A 52 (David Thompson 2, Simon Forrest, Bron Lett, Ben Hones, Randell Kamea, Josh Kronfeld, Eli Paewai tries; Shaan Davis 3 conversions, 2 penalty goals), Harbour 12 (Nalu Tuigamala, Nathan McLachlan tries; Jonnie Hughes conversion). Half-time: University A 21-0. Referee: Doug Rodgers.
Alhambra-Union - 31
Southern - 3
Luke Reihana scored 18 points to set Alhambra-Union up for a 31-3 victory over defending champion Southern in their quarterfinal at Bathgate Park.
Southern will now face Harbour next week in a match to determine fifth and sixth, as it had nothing to match the firepower and silky skills of the Alhambra backs and a forward pack steered by captain and openside flanker Matt Clutterbuck.
Alhambra was mindful it was well-beaten by Southern in their Gallaway Trophy match, and extracted full vengeance, outplaying its opponent in all facets and forcing many errors.
Clutterbuck feasted on turnover ball and, with first five-eighth Jone Paumau, created havoc among the Southern inside backs.
Clutterbuck's ball retention at the breakdown created opportunity for the classy Alhambra-Union backs, three of whom - Doug Edwards, Matt George and Luke Reihana - scored tries.
But to the credit of a Southern side hit hard by injury in recent weeks, it was able to hold its own for the opening quarters of each half, before Alhambra-Union found and took its opportunities.
Matt George called the action from halfback, giving the forwards every opportunity to attack through the pick and go, with hooker Ben Pereira outstanding both in the tight and loose play.
For Southern, Luke Herden's efforts to inspire the back line, and the ball-winning ability of captain Dane Grey were not enough to halt a rampant Alhambra which has designs on winning back the championship banner.
• Alhambra-Union 31 (Doug Edwards, Matt George, Luke Reihana tries; Luke Reihana 2 conversions, 3 penalty goals; Jone Paumau dropped goal), Southern 3 (Hamish McKenzie penalty). Half-time: Alhambra-Union 15-3. Referee Todd Pullar.
Dunedin - 21
Kaikorai - 11
Dunedin out-smarted early-season favourite Kaikorai to win a rugged quarterfinal encounter 21-11 at Bishopscourt.
Kaikorai dominated turnover ball, the line-outs were even, but it was Dunedin's strength in the scrum and driving play that won the gameDunedin's first try came from a rolling maul after 21minutes when blindside flanker John Crossan was pummelled over, and it went to the break with an 8-6 lead. Dunedin caught Kaikorai napping early in the second half, with the backs spinning the ball wide for second five-eighth Scott Milne to score.
Kaikorai then regrouped, and only resolute defence from Dunedin held out waves of assaults at its line. Kaikorai eventually scored through halfback Willie Lawson, reducing its deficit to just two points at 13-11 and it was game on.
Though Kaikorai held a territorial advantage, it was Dunedin centre Tumua Ioane who catapulted his side into the semifinal.
With five minutes remaining, Milne charged down a clearing kick from Kaikorai centre Matt Direen and Ioane ran on to the ball and scored. Ioane scored a late penalty to stretch the score out to 21-11.
• Dunedin 21 (John Crossan, Scott Milne, Tumua Ioane tries; Ioane 2 penalty goals), Kaikorai 11 (Willie Lawson try; Andrew Reid two penalty goals). Half-time 8-6 Dunedin. Referee: Mike Woodhouse.
In Countrywide competition, Pirates ended the 14-match unbeaten run of Lawrence with a hard-fought 20-16 victory at Hancock Park.
In the other match, Zingari Richmond handed out a 70-5 lesson in premier rugby to Otago Country competition runner-up side Heriot at Montecillo.
In the third match, University B defaulted to Green Island.
Zingari Richmond - 70
Heriot -5
• Zingari Richmond 70 (Chris Bell 3, Bradley Carmichael 2, Tim Hanipale 2, Anthony Tait 2, Nick McGrath, Stu Smart, Kieran Coll tries; Peter Breen 5 conversions), Heriot 5 (Lyndon Duff try). Half-time: Zingari Richmond 36-5. Referee: Dave Kennedy.
Pirates - 20
Lawrence - 16
• Pirates 20 (Sam Munro, Hami Goldsmith tries; Glenn Dickson 2 conversions, 2 penalty goals), Lawrence 16 (Craig Joyce try; Sam Young 1 conversion, 3 penalty goals). Half-time: Pirates 14-10. Referee: Tim Baker.
