Aorangi and Northland lead the points and games board going into the final day of competition and if Otago beats Northland, the South Canterbury golfers have promised a bar tab.
Otago had a mixed day, losing by 2 to 3 to Aorangi after edging it out of second place in the triangular event in Cromwell last month.
But in the afternoon, Otago's tail wagged with a 3 to 2 win over Taranaki, which gives the team a 50% record of three wins from six matches.
No4 Greg Johnson stood down in the morning match while John McIntee lost to former Balmacewen golfer Jason Leary in the morning.
The left-handed Leary ran hot on the homeward nine to win on the 16th green.
Simon Boland lost to Simon Wright by 3 and 2 after turning down and not getting back into the game.
Andrew Hobbs won his fifth game from as many outings, beating Peter Fox by 4 and 3, while Gary Creedy beat John Smitheram with one hole to spare.
But Ken Shaw lost to former Aorangi No1 Robbie Bell, who has been a thorn in Otago's side in recent years.
Shaw trailed by two after three holes but made three quick birdies to turn one ahead.
Shaw's putter went cold on the homeward nine, while Ashburton's Bell chipped in at the 16th and his approach finished dead at the next hole to take the win.
In the afternoon, McIntee had six three putts losing to Aaron Langton, while Boland went down to Murray Martin on the 14th green.
Hobbs continued his good form for a 100% record, turning three up on Taranaki's Tony Hardy and eventually winning by 5 and 3.
After sitting out the morning, Greg Johnson returned in style, beating Brian Rowland on the final green, while Gary Creedy made it four wins from five outings at the expense of Dean Bulloch.
Otago meets Northland this morning in a clash that could decide the winning team, and Manawatu-Wanganui in the final round this afternoon.
