Clutha continued their unbeaten start to the season in a commanding 56-15 victory over Heriot to retain the McIntosh Cup at home on Saturday.
The first half was closely contested with Heriot left to rue missed attacking opportunities.
At halftime, the match remained finely balanced, and Clutha led 14-10.
Heriot began the second half with renewed intent, but Clutha struck first.
From that point, Clutha shifted gears, producing the clinical rugby they have become known for. Their bench made a significant impact, lifting the tempo as the hosts ran in six second-half tries.
Connor Mills was particularly influential for Clutha, finishing with two tries in a standout performance.
West Taieri also remain unbeaten, following a 65-12 victory over Clinton on the road.
The visitors were particularly effective in exploiting space out wide, scoring multiple tries through their outside channels.
Clinton registered their first points of the season, providing a platform for future games.
Winger Will Pringle was a constant threat for West Taieri, crossing for three tries.
The occasion was marked by a strong turnout from the Clinton faithful, as the club hosted its first home fixture since 2024.
Crescent retained the Greg Smith and John Wybrow Memorial trophies with a 32-15 win over Owaka at Swamp Hen Park, overturning a halftime deficit in the process.
With the wind at their backs in the first half, Owaka were unable to capitalise before
Crescent made far better use of the conditions after the break.
Their second half performance helped them assert dominance and secure a deserved victory.
Harley McHardy marked his 200th appearance in style, playing a pivotal role with two 50-22 kicks that both led to tries.
Toko secured their first win as they beat Lawrence 33-12 in Milton, built on a highly physical and disciplined performance.
The home side’s forward pack laid the foundation, dominating the set piece and consistently gaining ground through powerful carries. This allowed Toko to play with width, resulting in several well-worked tries.
Although Lawrence remained competitive, injuries and inconsistencies at set piece proved costly.
By Francis Parker