South Otago High School scored six tries to four to beat Dunstan High School 36-27 in an Otago premier schools game in Clyde on Saturday.
South Otago's main rival, John McGlashan College, beat King's High School 33-14 but missed out on a bonus point.
Both teams are far enough ahead of the rest of the pack that they will contest the August 8 final. There is only home advantage left to play for and South Otago has drawn level on points, courtesy of its bonus point.
''We actually haven't played our top XV all year,'' South Otago coach Adam Whaanga said.
''We've always had someone injured. But the way it is all working out for us, we should have our top XV ready for the final, which would be great.''
Whaanga was pleased with how his backs functioned against Dunstan High School. They accounted for all six tries, and second five eighth Hemi Remi had an impressive match.
Both teams played entertaining rugby. The first half was a very open affair but the second half tightened up with Dunstan getting more parity up front.
''Their backs and outside backs were pretty sharp,'' Dunstan coach Tom Blaikie said.
''We missed tackles but in the second half our forward pack started to dominate. We played better than we have for the last two weeks.''
In the other top six match, the Otago Boys' High School Second XV beat Waitaki Boys' High School 36-13.
In the bottom six, Taieri College beat the Otago Boys' Third XV 25-22, Kavanagh College beat Mount Aspiring College 34-20, and St Kevin's College beat West Otago 61-15.
