It was Alhambra-Union's first loss and it has dropped from first to fourth on the points table.
Taieri leads the competition with 25 points and is followed by Southern and Dunedin on 23, Alhambra-Union (22), Kaikorai (19), University A (16), Harbour (15), Zingari-Richmond (7), Pirates (5) and Green Island (0).
Kaikorai had its second loss of the season when it was outplayed by a rejuvenated University A 44-10.
Peter Breen (Alhambra-Union) became the first player to reach 100 premier points this year when he kicked 17 points against Taieri to take his tally to 104.
Taieri 30
Alhambra-Union 27
The Taieri forward pack laid the platform for a well-deserved victory over competition leader Alhambra-Union at the North Ground.
The Taieri front eight put Alhambra-Union on the back foot in the opening minute, through robust forward play, and the ability of second five-eighth Michael Collins to draw in defenders put wing Shannon Young away unmarked for a try.
From then on its tight five worked like a well-oiled machine. Locks Kurt Webster and Matt Davidson featured in all facets, while props Aki Seiuli and Nick McLennan, along with hooker Henry Parker, were a feature of its defence around the fringes and ball retention.
Flankers Charlie O'Connell and Willis Scott were full of work throughout, rock solid in defence and a handful for the Alhambra defenders in close.
An exchange of penalty goals kept Alhambra-Union in the game until the 30th minute, when the Taieri pack took full control to dominate the set pieces and score through Webster and Davidson. With the score blown out to 25-9, the halftime break must have come as some respite for Alhambra-Union, which used it to regroup and claw its way back into the game.
Despite the Alhambra-Union scrum going backwards, it was well served up front by Tana Petley, Harley Iraia and Mike Colville, while Noah Cooper and Corey McFadzean featured in the backline.
Taieri 30 (Shannon Young, Kurt Webster, Matt Davidson, Kori Rupene tries; Josh Casey 2 con, 2 pen), Alhambra-Union 27 (Ratu Bishop, Zeb Laqekoro tries; Peter Breen con, 5 pen). Halftime: 25-9 Taieri.
University A 44
Kaikorai 10
University A was back to its best and played powerhouse rugby to beat Kaikorai 44-10 at Bishopscourt.
The backs ran with pace and centre Matt Faddes was the standout player with his speed through the gap and his power-house tackling.
He made several telling breaks through the gaps and put the game out of reach of Kaikorai with a 50m intercept try just before the break, to give the students a 25-3 lead.
The other backs to impress were right wing Gavin Stark with his powerful running and hard tackling and halfback Wai Kola with his quick delivery. He sped through a gap in the first minute of the second spell to score a try.
The best player in the student team was No 8 Sione Teu, with his aggression and speed with the ball in hand, his support play and his strong tackling.
Flanker Jack Wolfreys stood out for his speedy defensive work which kept the Kaikorai backs pinned behind the advantage line. Hooker Sam Sturgess was a workmanlike hooker.
The Kaikorai lineout had the edge over the students and took three takes off University throws. Locks Simon Grant and Willie Miller won their share of ball.
The Kaikorai forwards won enough ball, but the slow delivery and student pressure made it difficult for the backline.
University A 44 (Matt Faddes, Wai Koia, Sione Teu, Nick O'Connell, Angus Cameron tries, penalty try; Fletcher Smith 4 con, 2 pen), Kaikorai 10 (Bryce Morgan try; Cam Rutherford con, pen). Halftime: University A 25-3.
Southern 40
Zingari-Richmond 13
Southern made the most of its chances and then ran away with the game in the second half to easily overcome Zingari-Richmond at Bathgate Park.
The score was locked up at a penalty apiece for a large part of the first half before Southern scored two quick tries near the end of the first 40 minutes to take a 15-3 halftime lead.
It then pulled away, scoring seven tries in all, through its big forward pack.
Best for Southern was centre Tei Walden, flanker Adam Knight and hooker Ricky Riccitelli.
The colours dropped too much ball at key moments and had a sloppy set piece. Lachie Moore showed some nice touches and Steve Roberts was a gallant loose forward.
Southern 40 (Tei Walden 2, Bryce Hosie, Josh Ioane, Ryan Thompson, Tom Franklin, Ricky Riccitelli tries; Ben Patston con, pen), Zingari-Richmond 13 (Lachie Moore, Josh Botting tries; Willie Ripia pen). Halftime: Southern 15-3.
Dunedin 53
Pirates 19
Midfield back Winston Stanley gave fire to the Dunedin backline which sparked into action to score six first half tries at Hancock Park.
There was a 10-minute period when Dunedin scored three tries to give it a 41-5 lead at halftime and put the game out of reach of PiratesThe fleet-footed Dunedin backs attacked from all parts of the field and every move brought results.
Backing up the backline were flanker Hame Toma and lock Richard Thompson.
Rowan McKenzie impressed at fullback for Dunedin and Mitchell Zandstra was a livewire No 8.
Pirates played with more determination in the second spell and its forwards dominated the Dunedin pack.
Pirates scored 14 points to Dunedin's 12. Lock Jared Williams dominated the lineout and second five-eighth Opini To'omalaitai was dangerous with the ball in hand.
The Pirates scrum was strong in the second spell, partcularly the front row and prop Hisa Sasagi was the standout player.
Dunedin 53 (Rowan McKenzie, Tumua Ioane, Kaituu Kaufana, Mitchell Zandstra, Hame Toma, Pera Gibbs, Sione Pulu, Winston Stanley tries; Greg Dyer 5 con, pen), Pirates 19 (Travis McIntosh, Mike Calder, Hisa Sasagi tries; Craig Sneddon 2 con). Halftime: Dunedin 41-5.
Harbour 46
Green Island 8
Powerful winger Mateo Malupo was in menacing form as Harbour overwhelmed Green Island at Watson Park. The former Northland ITM Cup player stormed over for two tries and missed a third when the ball was knocked out of his hands as Harbour gained its third win of the season.
Harbour had a four-try bonus point after 30 minutes and added four more in the second spell against a Green Island side which fell off too many first tackles.
Malupo, fullback Ewan Brumwell and centre Aleki Morris were constant dangers in the backline, while the Harbour forwards were too strong for the Green Island pack.
Flanker Ratu Dawai and lock Elliott Tonga both scored two tries with some bruising running, while captain Hadleigh May, Ben Whale and Matt Kiore also impressed.
Green Island mounted a few likely attacks, but almost all ended with the loss of possession. Prop Richard Te Nahu was rewarded with a try for his perseverance, locks Matt McCutcheon and Lausei Pritchard both had solid games, as did openside flanker Luke Johnston, but the backs did not have the deception or the structure to break down the Harbour defence.
Harbour 46 (Mateo Malupo 2, Joe Collins, Charles Elton, Ratu Dawai 2, Elioti Tonga 2 tries; Nick Ealy 3 con), Green Island 8 (Richard Te Nahu try; Brady Page pen). Halftime: Harbour 26-3.
