Taieri held on to beat Dunedin at Peter Johnstone Park despite a strong rearguard action by Dunedin in the second spell.
Taieri led 20-3 at the break but Dunedin took control in the second spell to close the gap.
The crucial difference in the game came midway through the first spell, when Dunedin lock Richard Thompson was sent to the sin bin and Taieri scored a try.
Charlie O'Connell had a strong game at the back of the scrum and used his strength to score a try after grabbing turnover ball.
Andrew Reid played well at first five-eighth, directed play well with his tactical kicking and landed five goals.
The midfield defence of Ben Nowell and Shannon Young was strong.
Dunedin's best player was workhorse flanker Hugh Blake, who made a lot of tackles and was a key member of the loose trio, with Mark Atkins and Gareth Evans, that shaded Taieri at the breakdown.
Fullback Liam Edwards had pace on the counterattack and scooted away for a 70m try early in the second spell.
Lock Simon Luke won ball at the ruck and maul and Sam Anderson-Heather got through 60 minutes in his comeback game in the front row.
- Taieri 23 (Tom Davie, Charlie O'Connell tries; Andrew Reid 2 con, 3 pen), Dunedin 18 (Liam Edwards, Anthony Diack tries; Edwards con, 2 pen). Halftime: Taieri 20-3. Referee: Liam Scanlon.