Bottom-placed Zingari scored its first win of the season when it beat top-of-the-table Southern 31-25 in a boilover at Montecillo.
It put a smile on the face of Zingari life member and former All Black coach Eric Watson, who was watching the game from the clubrooms.
Bell is only the third Zingari player to reach 150 premier games. Another No 8, Gary Beattie, heads the list with 162 games, and fullback Tutere Williams played 152.
Defending champion Taieri scored six tries to beat Kaikorai 41-20 and is the only unbeaten team. It leads the competition with 18 points.
Southern had its first loss of the season but gained two bonus points, to be second on the table with 16 points. It is followed by Dunedin 15, Pirates and University A 10, Alhambra-Union 9, Harbour 8, Zingari-Richmond 6, Kaikorai 5, Green Island 4.
Zingari-Richmond 31
Southern 25
A committed Zingari-Richmond side put bodies on the line and refused to give up at Montecillo.
This dedication was demonstrated in the last five minutes when Zingari camped inside the Southern 22m and defended a one-point lead.
Veteran loose forward Andrew Melville was like a human torpedo as he charged for the line in the final minute, to stretch the winning margin to six points.
No 8 Chris Bell made a huge contribution to the win with his fire-and-brimstone approach throughout the game.
Zingari dominated the first spell and openside flanker Steve Roberts played a key role by scoring two tries to give Zingari an 18-12 lead at the break.
Lock Tom Franklin, the best of the Southern forwards, won clean ball in the lineout to help his team close the gap to one point, 21-20, when fullback Bryce Hosie scored his second try after 15 minutes in the second spell.
Melville made his first contribution in the last 15 minutes when he drove to the line and hooker Masiu Akavola scored to stretch the lead to six points.
It was reduced to one point again when replacement Southern centre Johnny Smith broke the defence for a try with just seven minutes left.
Franklin was a tower of strength for Southern and Robbie Smith played well at halfback.
Zingari-Richmond 31 (Steve Roberts 2, Masiu Akavola, Andrew Melville tries; Shaun Driver con, Christian Walker 3 pen)
Southern 25 (Bryce Hosie 2, Ben Carpenter, Johnny Smith tries; Ben Patston con, pen).
Halftime: Zingari 18-12.
Taieri 41
Kaikorai 20
Taieri took control of the game in the last 25 minutes to comfortably beat Kaikorai at Bishopscourt.
After 14 minutes in the second spell, the scores were locked at 17-17. But when winger Taylor Fiddes made an intercept at halfway to score his second try, it opened the floodgates. Taieri scored three converted tries and added a penalty in the last 25 minutes.
The best try came after 23 minutes when centre Kieran Moffat broke the defensive line inside the 22m and fullback Kori Rupene was in support to score his second try.
The Taieri loose trio of Charlie O'Connell, Willis Scott and Brodie Hulme played a dominant role and put pressure on Kaikorai.
O'Connell burst through the centre to make the break for the first try by Rupene. Scott was the link man and spot tackler.
Loosehead prop Nick McLennan was dangerous with the ball in hand. He made the break for one try and scored one himself.
First five-eighth Cam Rutherford scored 15 points and was the best Kaikorai back. Matt Te Tana was an efficient halfback and Jayden Spence lively in the midfield.
The best forwards were No 8 Lee Allan, lock Andy Brun and Blair Tweed.
Taieri 41 (Kori Rupene 2, Taylor Fiddes 2, Nick McLennan, Eti Tofiga tries; Will McKee 4 con, pen)
Kaikorai 20 (Cam Rutherford, Matt Te Tana tries; Rutherford 2 con, 2 pen).
Halftime: Taieri 17-10.
Harbour 26
Green Island 10
An organised forward pack and astute stewardship from Joe Collins laid the platform for Harbour's win at Miller Park.
Collins provided sound tactical kicking, good service to his outside backs and 11 points through the boot.
The Harbour pack was solid, led by captain Peter Mirrielees, No 8 Hale T-Pole and locks Charles Armstrong and Charlie Elton. T-Pole and Elton, in particular, were high contributors at the lineout and in general play.
Green Island always looks dangerous on attack but a high error rate proved its undoing, and its forward pack held its own until appearing a little weary in the final quarter.
This became apparent when Harbour won a tighthead close to the Green Island line and scored through second five-eighth Lex Kaleca.
But, led by determined defence and the counter-attacking abilities of halfback Dean Moeahu and centre Roma Sauileoge, Green Island kept fighting, and scored a runaway try in the dying minutes through winger Sofele Tuiganala.
Harbour 26 (Peter Mirrielees, Ed Elvin, Lex Kaleca tries; Joe Collins con, 3 pen)
Green Island 10 (Dean Moeahu, Sofele Tuiganala tries).
Halftime: Harbour 18-5.
Alhambra-Union 35
Pirates 24
Experienced first five-eighth Peter Breen guided Alhambra-Union to a well-deserved win at Hancock Park.
Pirates started strongly and led 10-3 after prop Craig Miller crashed over from a nice drive from a lineout.
But Breen, who slotted three penalties and three conversions, provided the spark Alhambra needed midway through the first half with a nifty chip ahead. Centre Tili Puloka scooped up the ball and from the ensuing ruck, loose forward Mike Kapua lunged at the line but was held up just short. Impressive No 8 Graeme Cashmore charged from the back of the scrum to turn the pressure into points.
Alhambra scored twice more before halftime to lead 22-10.
Arguably, Pirates' greatest setback came when Alhambra scored a superb counterattacking try from deep inside its 22m. Breen spotted space to his right and spun the ball when it seemed more prudent to look for touch.
Pirates was caught napping as winger Tyron Pelasio flashed up the touch line before toeing ahead a grubber kick. Breen was on hand to regather and flick the ball back to Pelasio for the try.
Pirates rallied with tries to Ben West and Will Scorgie but could not bridge the gap.
Alhambra-Union 35 (Graeme Cashmore, Mike Kapua, Corey McFadzean, Tyron Pelasio tries; Peter Breen 3 con, 3 pen)
Pirates 24 ( Craig Miller, Ben West, Will Scorgie tries; Tim Cossens 3 con, pen).
Halftime: Alhambra-Union 22-10.
Dunedin 30
University A 13
Dunedin made the most of its opportunities and capitalised on numerous University A errors to regain the Jonathan Keogh Memorial Trophy at the University Oval.
The margin might have been a little flattering but Dunedin was a convincing winner and signed off with its four-try bonus point on the final hooter.
Dunedin led 15-0 after 25 minutes but University A had the best of the next 30 minutes and, when Dunedin's lead had been reduced to 15-13, the students seemed to be getting on top.
However, Dunedin struck with a try by Kaitu Kaufana and wrapped the match up when first five-eighth Pera Gibbs scored in the last move of the match.
Dunedin was the more clinical side. Sam Anderson-Heather provided go-forward from hooker, Richard Thompson won good lineout ball and Gareth Evans, Hugh Blake and Martin Swaffield were an effective loose trio.
University A was its own worst enemy. Rob Verbakel and Monte Lemond both lost the ball forward with tries in the offing and twice the students turned down kickable penalties only to lose the ensuing lineouts.
Paul Grant, Dale Jarden and Josh Dickson were an outstanding trio. Grant made several ground-eating runs, Jarden was arguably the man of the match with his non-stop performance and Dickson is an extremely promising blindside flanker.
Hooker Sam Sturgess was tigerish in general play but the University A backs were unable to penetrate the tight Dunedin defensive screen. Nick Annear was a lively halfback, Guy Schwikkard was solid at second five-eighth but the students seldom looked like penetrating out wide.
Dunedin 30 ( Rowan McKenzie, Gareth Evans, Kaitu Kaufana, Pera Gibbs tries; Gibbs 2 con, 2 pen)
University A 13 (Josh Dickson try; Sam Ellis, con, 2 pen).
Halftime: Dunedin 15-7.
