South Otago High School kept plugging the corners and playing the percentages which paid off with a 10th consecutive win in the Otago premier schools competition.
This time it was Waitaki Boys' High School on the receiving end at the Balclutha Showgrounds.
The visiting side started well and led 10-5 at the break. But Waitaki Boys' had not made the most of the wind and South Otago scored four second half tries to win the game 29-10.
''It was one of those winds which made it hard to get out of your own half,'' South Otago coach Adam Whaanga said.
''Waitaki played really well but we weren't panicking because we knew it was about territory. We just plugged the corners.
''It was probably an unconventional game for us, really. Normally our backs have been dominating teams but it was actually our forwards which stood up [on Saturday].
''We got a couple of tries through rolling mauls. Waitaki were leaving a few defenders off to look after our midfield so we tried attacking through the forwards.''
Prop Logan Morrell and hooker Brady Robertson had outstanding matches. They thrived in the close exchanges and in the dark arts of the rolling maul.
Waitaki Boys' coach Wayne Kinzett was philosophical. He felt his side could have made more of the wind but tipped his cap to South Otago.
''They came out really firing in the second half and we sort of held them out and held them out until eventually they scored,'' Kinzett said.
''From then on out it was just about pushing down into the corner. They were doing things right and we weren't holding on to the ball enough.
''They are a good side. I'm not overly unhappy with the performance. I think we did quite well but to their credit they were just a bit hungrier than us, really.''
The loss has left Waitaki ''basically'' needing to win its remaining games if it is going to feature in the final.
Flanker and captain Josh Haward was the pick of the Waitaki players.
In the other matches, King's High School and Otago Boys' High School 2nd XV drew 19-19. John McGlashan College smashed Dunstan High School 60-12.
In the bottom six, Mt Aspiring College beat Taieri College 26-7. Kavanagh College was too strong for West Otago, winning 48-24, and St Kevin's College beat OBHS 3rd XV 57-24.
