Roxburgh provided the upset of the season, beating reigning champion Clutha 25-22 in front of a bumper home crowd.
The Roxburgh forward pack dominated the fixture and was more than happy to dig in and hold the ball for long periods.
This frustrated the Clutha outfit, which was on the rough side of the penalty count at halftime. The score was 8-5 to Roxburgh at the break. The second half continued in the same vein with the Roxburgh forward pack more than happy to march up the middle of the field, nullifying the dangerous Clutha backs and keeping hold of possession. As the game opened up both teams managed to string phases together and score points. But Roxburgh continued to keep the ball in the tight.
With the clock approaching full-time the home side took the lead and held on to the ball for the remaining minutes to take a well-deserved and special win.
Roxburgh first five-eighth Lani Tumai impressed in his first game of the season and kicked some key points.
Connor Mills was Clutha's best on the day. He never gave up and gave a good account of himself.
Winger Sam Viliamu was dangerous with the ball but did not see it enough to make a difference. Roxburgh takes control of the Speight's Jug with one round left to play.
Crescent jumped to the top of the ladder with a comfortable 35-27 win over Heriot at Heriot. The Crescent forwards set a decent platform and its backs ran riot it the first half. It led 22-12 at the break.
Heriot enjoyed the physical battle but was left a little short out wide. It was also struggling for numbers, with plenty of injuries and people away this week.
Crescent flanker Andy Carruthers and winger Nico Burgess scored two tries each and were dangerous on the outside channels. Midfielders Chase Owen and Ethan Edwards put on a strong display. Cam Weir was the best of the Crescent forwards but the whole eight worked well together.
For Heriot, No8 Liam Davies scored a brace and gave a good account of himself. Lock Paul Roulston and halfback Ethan Jane were also solid.
Owaka put on a clinic in Clinton. It beat the home side 54-7 in a one-sided affair and
regained the Bill Mitchell Memorial Trophy.
Owaka opened the scoring early on but Clinton piled the pressure on shortly after. The game changed just before half-time as Clinton pivot Jacob Beal-Harris was shown a red card for careless use of his feet. The decision swung the game in Owaka's favour. It went into halftime 19-7 ahead. The second half was one-way traffic, as Owaka moved the ball well and found the space with its extra man.
Owaka midfielder Laumua Ieru scored a hat trick of tries and was exciting on attack and strong in defence.
Winger Brendan McLeod helped himself to two more tries. Flanker Reuben McLay had a strong game in the loose. Prop Chris Preddy and hooker Michael Harrison were also strong.
Winger George Blyth was the best of the Clinton side. He showed plenty of heart for the duration of the game and tried to get involved as much as possible. Flanker Maurice Tairua and midfielder Angus Mitchell also stood out.
Clutha Valley rediscovered its mojo, beating Toko 33-31 in a hard-fought battle at Milton.
The home side started well and dominated possession.
Valley found itself on the wrong side of a lopsided penalty count which put it in the wrong parts of the field.
Toko went into halftime 17-12 ahead but Valley scored just before the break, so had momentum. The second half was a see-saw affair and both sides scored good tries.
Toko began to feel the wrath of the referee towards the end of the second half and finished the game with two players in the sin bin. Valley seized the opportunity and scored a try at the death to take the win.
Flanker Jimmy McDonald and lock Sam Glasson were strong up front for Valley. Jonny Sargent and Macrae Sanderson added impact off the bench, both scoring tries.
Toko No8 Rory Ferguson was immense for his side. He got through a power of work. Centre Dylan Mathieson scored a brace of tries and was hard to stop.
- Francis Parker