Kaikorai 11
Taieri 10
Goal kicking was the difference in Mosgiel as Kaikorai first five-eighth Cam Rutherford kicked two penalties from his three attempts and his opposite, Hayden Parker, only landed one from his three attempts.
Both packs produced a high standard of rugby with two players standing out.
Kaikorai lock Seko Kalou had an outstanding game and won eight clean takes in the lineout.
He made strong breaks with the ball in hand and his powerful tackling stopped Taieri in its tracks.
He was backed by No 8 Kensak Palepoi and strong-tackling openside flanker Adam Hill.
Blindside flanker Charlie O'Connell stood out in the Taieri pack.
He gained ball in the lineout, was quick to the breakdown and was dangerous with the ball in hand.
He was backed by tighthead prop Matt Kiore, openside flanker Nathan Young and lock Steve Green.
Fullback Matt Hogan had speed on the counter-attack and was the only Taieri back capable of breaking the strong Kaikorai defence spearheaded by Mark McGregor in the midfield.
Rutherford had a strong game but it was the experienced Matt Direen on the right wing who made the difference with his covering.
He scored Kaikorai's try after Rutherford had burst down the blindside from a ruck.
Dunedin 18
Zingari-Richmond 3
Zingari-Richmond had a heroic defence that restricted Dunedin to two tries in its 18-3 win at Kettle Park.
The Dunedin pack was dominant and controlled possession and territory, but it was not able to put points on the board.
The Dunedin tight forwards were to the fore, with loosehead prop Keith Cameron a powerhouse in the scrum and No 8 Joe Dobson breaking the advantage line.
However, the Dunedin backline was inept, took wrong options, passed loosely and turned over ball in the tackle.
Dunedin seldom got out of first gear and this was due to the ferocious Zingari tackling highlighted by flanker Kris Miller and hooker Matt Mullany.
Dunedin led 6-3 at the break, but it did not add to its score until 32 minutes into the second spell when flanker Simon Luke scored wide out after Dunedin had spent nine minutes hammering the line.
A late try by first five-eighth Shaan Davis gave Dunedin a flattering margin.
Southern 32
Green Island 22
Southern had a mountain of possession but took a long time to put away a determined Green Island at Bathgate Park.
Southern was strong in the line-outs and scrums but, in a typical display of early season rugby, dropped the ball at crucial stages, and lacked continuity in its game.
Southern right winger Nik Tupaea made an impressive premier club debut, picking up three tries and looking strong every time he had the ball.
Halfback Lewis Hancock slowly warmed to his work at the base of the Southern scrum,while Ollie Spence got round the field.
Kees Meeuws and Warren Moffat were solid props for Southern.
Green Island centre Chris O'Neill scored a classy try at the end of the first half and looked good in everything he did.
Highlanders No 8 Nasi Manu played the first half for Green Island and ran hard, while prop Josh Beer made a couple of big charges in the first half.
