The star-studded John McGlashan College team had to pull out all stops to win its first top eight game in Oamaru on Saturday.
A late try, to prop Matthan Schaaf, gave McGlashan a 17-16 win over St Kevin's College in the Highlanders First XV competition.
The rest of John McGlashan's points came from first five-eighth Thomas Johnson, who kicked four penalty goals.
The 40m goal Johnson kicked just before halftime gave McGlashan a narrow 9-6 lead at the break.
A try by halfback Scott Weir and a conversion and penalty goal by winger Brodie Flannery then gave St Kevin's a 16-12 lead.
McGlashan lost its first game, to Otago Boys' High School, but has remained unbeaten since then.
Coach Mike Idour has encouraged open rugby and McGlashan had the edge when the ball was spread wide. But the St Kevin's defence was tenacious and it was difficult to break the line.
Players to stand out for St Kevin's were centre Matthew Vocea, winger Brady Kingan and hooker Fergus Smith.
Other players to make their mark for McGlashan were flanker Joe Mullis and No 8 Nemo Gent.
A dominant Otago Boys' pack paved the way for a 71-0 win over Mt Aspiring College in Dunedin.
The front row of Jonah Aoina, Alex Frood and Sione Asi played a key role, with Asi using his strength to score two tries. Other players to stand out for Otago Boys' were fullback Reece Mau'u and speedy winger Chris McNoe.
The Otago Boys' juggernaut has scored 93 tries this winter and conceded only seven.
Waitaki Boys' High School scored four tries when it beat Menzies College 20-12.
Wing Cameron McLay and prop Meli Kolinisau scored tries for Waitaki Boys' when Menzies College was beaten 20-7 at Wyndham. Menzies led 9-7 at the break but Waitaki got on top in the second spell when the ball was moved wide.
The best players for Waitaki were first five-eighth Matt Munro and lock Josh Hayward.
In the bottom-six section, South Otago High School scored seven tries when it beat St Peter's College 45-14.
South Otago was unlucky not to make the top eight and is determined to prove its point.
Centre Matt Whaanga used his strength and speed to score three tries, and winger Osca Goodlett grabbed two. Other players to impress were halfback Nick Shaw and hooker Max Pennell.
Dunstan High School led 17-13 at halftime and put its foot down in the second spell to beat Gore High School 38-26.
The tries were scored by centre Canaan Napier, winger Nathan Craddock, fullback Sam McCulloch, No 8 Cody Laing and prop Henry Allen. First five-eighth Jayden McLew kicked three penalty goals and two conversions. Lock Keegan O'Donnell dominated the lineout.
James Hargest College beat Central Southland College 13-3. Southland Boys' High School beat King's High School 24-0 in the midweek interschool.
