A new-look Otago team was competitive throughout, trailing Southland by three games to four with one halved match in the reverse singles in the morning round.
Arrowtown's Jo Hicks-Beach was the top Otago performer, posting two wins against the top Southland golfers, while Julie-Ann Kelly (Tapanui) emerged unbeaten with a win and a-half.
Hicks-Beach dominated her morning match, beating Angela Gerkin on the 15th green in the morning.
She had a tougher battle in the afternoon against Southland No 1 Robyn Pullar but looked to have the match under control at three ahead.
But Pullar fought back and Hicks-Beach held on to win by a single hole on the final green.
Otago No 2 Sally Shaw had a tight battle with Pullar in the morning but the experienced Southlander forged ahead on the back nine.
Playing at No 4, Columba College pupil Abigael Crawford won the final hole to escape with a half with Olivia Frost.
Another schoolgirl making her debut at No 6 was Annabel Evans, who turned one down but won the final hole to beat Fiona Murray in her morning match.
At No 7, Kelly had a tough morning match against Anne Osment which see-sawed throughout but she finished strongly, winning 16 and 17 to clinch the win.
In the afternoon, Kelly was tested again and finished tied with Helen Baird in a tight match which went all the way.
Otago is on track to rebuild and selection convener Lisa Joyce will study the weekend's results and announce an eight-strong team to compete in the South Island teams event in Nelson on November 1 and 2.
