The Highlanders were beaten 31-29 by the Blues in Balclutha on Saturday afternoon, in a spirited performance by the southern side, losing the game only in the final few minutes.
Blues replacement hooker Ash Dixon went over for the winning try after the Highlanders ran out of defenders at the end of a long period of play where the ball changed sides at least four times.
A draw probably would have been a fairer result as there was virtually nothing in the match, watched by a crowd of about 3000.
The Highlanders, with most of their more experienced players on the field, dominated the first 40 minutes, while the Blues came back into the match in the second half.
There was plenty of endeavour in the forwards by the home side, especially in the ability to recycle the ball and also to grab a couple of turnovers from rucks.
The set piece was good enough and there was a crucial tighthead right near the end, achieved through the strength of the Highlanders scrum.
In the backs, the ball was moved quickly, though, as is expected at this time of year, one or two passes were thrown which probably should not have been, and some of the backs ran across field too much.
The Highlanders led 15-10 at the break, and after making 10 changes after halftime, there was the expected loss of continuity, as the side lost a lot of experience.
A few errors which turned the game came down to a lack of experience from some players.
The only player to complete the entire 80 minutes for the Highlanders was Ben Smith, who started at fullback and then switched to the right wing.
The home side's defence was solid enough, although there were several bad reads by the defenders which let the Blues backs away in the first half.
Highlanders loose forward Adam Thomson said it was a physical match and a good way to start the season.
"We probably looked a bit better in the first half when we had a bit more control of the ball.
It was a pretty physical start to the season, which you can never complain about."
Thomson played both openside flanker and No 8 on Saturday, and said he did not think it was too difficult to play all three loose forward positions, something he was looking at doing this season.
It was his first game back after a knee injury ended his season early last year, and he said the knee felt fine after a long, intensive rehabilitation period.
At one stage the Highlanders were out to a 29-17 lead as the Blues made some silly errors.
Shaun Treeby scored the first two tries for the home side, following up his own kick to score under the posts after 10 minutes, completing a nice rush through the middle by the Highlanders.
He added a second after a good cut back against the tide from a scrum 5m out.
The Blues scored first in the second half to take the lead through replacement winger Nafi Tuitavake, but prop Bronson Murray got the home side back in front and then nippy halfback Aaron Smith dived over Toby Morland to score when the Blues lost the ball at the back of the scrum on their line.
It looked a win for the home side but the Blues came back to steal it at the death.
Best for the Blues were No 8 Chris Lowery and prop Tevita Mailau.
