Southland premier club rugby began in earnest on Saturday.
Only the top six teams are left in the race for the Galbraith Shield.
Reigning champion Marist earned a 36-7 win over the Eastern Northern Barbarians at Miller Street.
Marist started with the wind at its back, but the visitors showed the most urgency in the first quarter and scored first.
Marist wrestled back the momentum in the second quarter when big No8 Pasilio Tosi barged over from close range to make it 7-7.
The hosts were unlucky not to take the lead just before halftime, when they were held up over the line twice.
However, three quick tries in 10 minutes after halftime helped Marist to victory.
It played with confidence and stretched the visitors' defence.
The Barbarians fired plenty of shots, but their finishing execution let them down.
Marist's strong reserve bench again made its presence felt.
Replacement back Alatini Vaihu and replacement forward Senio Samisoni both scored to cap a great team performance.
Tangaroa Walker was outstanding up front and was rewarded with man of the match, his front-row partners Sam Brierley and Reuben Northover got through plenty of work also.
Blues had a comfortable 48-8 win over Pirates Old Boys at Balmoral Drive.
Blues assistant coach Simon Frisby said the management team was really pleased with their boys - ``... they scored some really nice tries and the comfortable lead gave us the ability to try a few things, and really move the ball around later in the game''.
Star celebrated its club day on Saturday with a 36-22 win over Woodlands at Waverley Park. Star led 12-7 at halftime and extended the lead after the break with a converted try. Woodlands hit back with two tries, but Star produced a solid last quarter to take the win.
The six teams in the Premier B Division began their quest for the Ack Soper Shield on Saturday.
Riversdale defended the northern Southland supremacy trophy - the Bedford Compton Shield - with a 21-19 win against Te Anau in Riversdale.
Riversdale's set piece struggled for the majority of the game, but it made up for it with its defence and determination around the field.
Captain Nathan Bokser earned player of the day for his excellent defence and strong ball-carries from No8.
Veteran hooker Haydn Blatch showed his strong all-round skills and brother Rob showed his versatility, filling in at first five-eighth for much of the match.
Wyndham earned a 19-7 win at Waikaka.
Wyndham Manager Mike Henderson described the match as ``a classic old battle''.
It had a strong wind advantage in the first half and was unsure if its 19 point lead would be enough, but strong defence got it through.
Edendale enjoyed a well-executed 45-21 over Midlands in Winton.
Its solid scrum provided a strong platform for its backs to score two long range tries, while Phil Brown snagged an intercept and ran 90m to score.
Its forwards powered over twice more, while first five-eighth Bram Fodie also managed two tries.
- John Langford