Taieri beat Green Island at Miller Park because of the superior structure of its game and by the ability of its backline to attack from all parts of the paddock.
Green Island had some talented individuals who put pressure on the Taieri machine and upset its rhythm.
The most notable of these was big prop Junior Sala, who was having his first game since breaking his eye socket in a pre-season warm-up game.
He ran like a rampaging bull with the ball in hand and scored the first try. On defence he pounced like a panther on the Taieri attackers.
He was backed up by flankers Tala Moli and Mika Mafi who ran like backs and wrestled the ball back at the breakdown.
It was Moli who made the break for Green Island's second try that was scored by lock Jackson Hemopo to keep Green Island in touch. Taieri led by just one point, 13-12, at the break.
It was a free-flowing game that suited the upfield thrusts by the Green Island individuals.
But they could not match the co-ordinated play of the Taieri backline as they counter-attacked from deep within their own 22m.
The Taieri backline always looked dangerous but they failed to exploit their monopoly of ball because of a lack of precision, and lacked patience.
The most exciting back was first five-eighth Ben Nowell, who ran with pace at the defence, while midfield back Michael Collins and wing Shannon Young impressed.
Collins showed a touch of class when he stepped past the defence 40m out and set up the first Taieri try, scored by hooker Will Hurst.
Hurst and the loose trio of Charlie O'Connell, Nathan Young and the snarly Karl Bloxham were the best of the forwards.
O'Connell and locks Matt Davidson and Kurt Webster gave Taieri a two-to-one advantage in the lineout.
Taieri 26 (Michael Collins, Shannon Young, Will Hurst tries; Ben Nowell con, 3 pen), Green Island 15 (Junior Sala, Jackson Hemopo tries; Joe Bartlett con, pen). Halftime: 13-12. Referee: Gareth Reed.
