South Otago High School applied pressure in the second spell and scored three tries in the last 15 minutes to beat John McGlashan College 24-6 in the Highlanders First XV competition in Balclutha on Saturday.
Until that point it had been a tight game, with the rugged McGlashan forwards matching the South Otago eight.
South Otago got on top when it spread the ball wide to its pacey backline and scored four tries to get the bonus point.
First five-eighth Caleb Edwards was an efficient general and centre Ruben McLay and fullback Gavin Stark added pace at the back.
Lock Shae Robertson won clean ball in the lineout and hooker Josh Turnbull was mobile about the paddock.
The best John McGlashan player was centre Chris O'Connell, who was a stout defender and was able to break the line on attack.
He was backed by Nemo Gent in the midfield, while No 8 Cameron Wood had a strong defensive game.
Waitaki Boys' High School continued its impressive form when it scored eight tries to beat Kavanagh College 53-5 in Oamaru.
Waitaki Boys' ran the ball well and fullback Jamie Robb joined in the attacks to score three tries. Winger James Pillay bagged two.
Other players to impress were captain and openside flanker Jake Rhodes, and midfield back Anthony Wetere-Sweet.
Fullback Mackenzie Haugh won the game for King's High School when he kicked a late 45m penalty when St Kevin's College was beaten 24-21 in a nail-biting game in Oamaru.
St Kevin's attacked from the start and led 14-0 after 6min and still held the advantage, 14-7, at halftime.
King's got to 21-21 with tries to centre Aranui Crofts, first five-eighth Daniel Dam and Haugh. The best King's player was No 8 David Taua.
It was a gutsy effort by St Kevin's. Its best players were prop Shaun Kelliher, No 8 Ash Miller and halfback Facundo Brionnes.
The St Kevin's tries were scored by Gaston Bazan and Michael Hannagan, while second five-eighth Tim O'Malley kicked three conversions.
In other games, Gore High School beat Menzies College 28-17, and Dunstan High School beat James Hargest High School 24-19.
