First five-eighth Brodie Flannery played a key role in St Kevin's College's second-half recovery when it beat Waitaki Boys' High School 23-16 on Saturday.
Waitaki Boys' started with the wind at its back and led 13-6 at halftime. It extended the advantage to 16-6 early in the second spell when first five-eighth Matt Munro kicked a penalty goal.
But St Kevin's had the advantage of the wind and Flannery made good use of it with tactical kicking that kept his team in the attacking zone.
His goal kicking was also on target. He converted both St Kevin's' tries and added three penalty goals.
St Kevin's had the advantage up front with its strong pack. Big prop Keletin Funaki scored a try, and the other was scored by strong-running midfield back Siua Ngalo.
Other players to impress were prop Keegan Anderson, openside flanker Cole Ryan and fullback Alex Collier.
Winger Sean White played a key role in John McGlashan College's 38-0 win over Dunstan High School when he scored a try and kicked four conversions.
Dunstan was competitive up front but McGlashan had the edge when the ball was spread wide. It used the width of the field efficiently to score six tries.
McGlashan was dominant in the backs. First five-eighth Thomas Johnson was efficient and Josh Timu had a strong game on attack and defence in the midfield.
Loose forwards Rory Ferguson and Jodie Ashton were good support players and prop Hamish Hendry was strong in the tight.
South Otago High School held on to beat Menzies College 15-8 in atrocious conditions in Wyndham.
The southerly storm hit the game in the second half and made the game difficult.
South Otago led 15-5 at the break when lock Josh Hill scored one of the two tries. Rugged defensive play in the second spell won the game.
South Otago had a strong front row, with hooker Max Pennell and prop Tyler Hammer being the standout players.
In other Highlanders First XV games, Southland Boys' High School beat Central Southland College 78-0, Mt Aspiring College beat St Peter's College 24-10 and Gore High School beat James Hargest High School 10-7.
