A performance straight off the top shelf from the Green Island forward pack set up a memorable victory in the Speight's Challenge Shield match at Bathgate Park.
In a Green Island pack that dominated, No. 8 Junior Sala can take credit for being the catalyst for the success through his inspirational work, both in set piece and broken play.
Sala scored the opening try after the ball was kept in hand as it went deep into the Southern half. He was involved again a few minutes later when the same tactic brought a try to prop Andre Clarke.
But after Southern regrouped and came back into the game either side of the break, it was Sala whose barging and deceptive runs from broken play and off the back of the scrum that proved the game-breaker as Green Island scored through Mika Mafi and Sofele Tuiganala.
Sala was well supported by fellow loose forwards Tala Moli and Mafi, while lock Jackson Hemopo was Meads-like in his presence at the lineout and in broken play.
Despite Green Island threatening to run rampant at times, it was a brave effort by Southern, with no shortage of inspiration from captain TJ Ioane. Hooker Johnny Mason and halfback Robbie Smith proved a handful for Green Island defenders.
Green Island 28 (Junior Sala, Andre Clarke, Mika Mafi, Sofele Tuiganala tries; Joe Bartlett con, 2 pen)
Southern 13 (Warren Moffat try; Ben Patston con, 2 pen).
Halftime: Green Island 13-10.
