North Otago returned to better form when it defeated West Coast 40-19 at Whitestone Stadium on Saturday.
But while it was a morale-boosting win, North Otago still lies in ninth place.
In the Lochore Cup section, it is one competition point behind Wairarapa Bush, Mid Canterbury and West Coast and five points behind King Country.
North Otago coach Nigel Walsh was happy enough.
"We got four tries and a bonus point in the bank which is what we were up to today," Walsh said.
"We showed some good form and we showed potentially what we can do. I think in the past we’ve been guilty of trying too hard and this week we tried to relax and just get them to play their game and enjoy it."
Walsh said the good start was important "but we did take the hammer off late in the first half when we gave five penalties away and let West Coast get back into the game".
North Otago opened the scoring in the first few minutes when prop Ralph Darling broke through and powerful No8 Mika Mafi provided the finish.
Mafi was in the action shortly after but this time he provided the assist for a Josh Buchan try.
And before the opening quarter of an hour was up lock Josh Clark put centre Hemaua Samasoni into space. The ball went through several more sets of hands before halfback Inoke Naufahu finished off a nice try.
The visiting side rallied when No8 Amenatave Tukana crashed over from a lineout. Hooker Troy Tauwhare scored in similar fashion to cut the lead to 19-14 at halftime.North Otago regained control through tries to Tyler Burgess and Glen Sturgess.
Walsh believes the win is the boost the side needed going into the final games against South Canterbury and Wairarapa-Bush.
"The boys have got to realise that today we beat a top four side by 40-19. The boys have got to take a lot of confidence out of that and I believe we can grow from there."
In other Heartland results, Wairarapa-Bush upset South Canterbury 27-24, Wanganui downed Buller 45-14, Thames Valley edged Poverty Bay 37-34, Mid Canterbury accounted for East Coast 56-7 and Horowhenua-Kapiti defeated King Country 36-30.
- Terry O'Neill
Heartland Rugby
The scores
North Otago 40
Mika Mafi, Inoke Naufahu, Tyler Burgess, Glen Sturgess, Sam Sturgess, Josh Buchan tries; Buchan 5 con
West Coast 19
Amenatave Tukana, Troy Tauwhare, Maleli Mudu tries; Tom Reekie 2 con.
Halftime:19-14.
