The Otago Metro sides both posted comfortable wins in the Tuppy Diack Shield on Saturday to occupy the top two spots on the competition table.
Otago Metro South dispatched Otago Country 40-17 at Peter Johnstone Park.
They ran in six tries to two.
Otago Country lacked physicality at the breakdown.
They did mount some strong defence early and opened the scoring with a penalty to Jared Hayes.
But Metro South fullback Josh Buchan danced his way through the Country defence to score in the corner.
Promising lock Josh Tengblad burrowed his way over from close range to stretch the lead to 14-3.
Winger Kyan Rangitutia finished off in the corner following a long build-up, and Metro South scored again before the break to kill off the contest.
Buchan ran into a hole and offloaded to halfback Fionn McKenna, who scored under the sticks for a 26-3 lead at halftime.
Metro South continued to boss the game and set the tempo.
But when Country rolled up their sleeves and went up the middle, they found some success.
They finally got some reward when flanker Anton Huisman crossed for a five-pointer.
A wonky lineout handed Metro South another opportunity, and midfielder Justin Malifa barged his way through.
To Country’s credit, they finished with the final points of the match through a try to co-captain Dean Sinnamon, who was too hard to stop from close range.
Metro South props Caleb Hughes and Israel Otunuku had busy shifts. Hooker Heath MacEwan was impressive, while the backline was marshalled well by Mackenzie Palmer.
Otago Metro North cruised to a 65-28 win over Southland Metro in the other fixture at Peter Johnstone Park.
Both Dunedin sides are unbeaten after two games, but Metro South sit at the top of the standings courtesy of superior points difference.
Round four will feature Metro South hosting Southland Country at Bathgate Park, and Southland Metro playing Otago Country at Oreti Park.
— Francis Parker and Additional reporting Adrian Seconi
