Michael Collins was the rock in the Taieri midfield and Charlie O'Connell the hard nut in the pack that eventually wore down the Kaikorai resistance at Bishopscourt.
The aggressive Kaikorai pack took the game to Taieri and drove into the breakdown with zeal and skill.
They were spearheaded by the dynamic loose trio of Lee Allen, Nathan Hull and Adam Hill, who tore into the game with gusto and made it difficult for Taieri to give space to its dangerous backline.
The backline defence dropped an iron curtain that Taieri found difficult to penetrate.
The midfield defence by Cam Rutherford and Logan Moore was like rock and fullback Tony Ensor sent the ball back with interest when it was kicked downfield.
Kaikorai led 13-5 at the break and looked to have the game safely locked up after first five-eighth Matt Te Tana scored a brilliant solo try with a 10m dash inside the 22m.
Rutherford added a penalty after 22 minutes and Kaikorai led 23-10.
The last 15 minutes belonged to Taieri, when it scored two tries and 17 points to snatch the game out of Kaikorai's grasp.
Taieri's superior fitness and support play made the difference.
The first try came after a battery of attacks that saw the ball switched from side to side.
The support play, a feature of Taieri rugby, saw Michael Collins penetrate within 2m of the line and fullback Kori Rupene was up in support to score the try.
The clinching try was scored by O'Connell who was up in support outside the wing after wing Shannon Young had counter-attacked up the centre and hooker Will Hurst was up in support.
Flanker Willis Scott was the link and the spot tackler who shut down Kaikorai attacks before they could gather momentum.
Nick Roulston was a lively halfback and Hayden Parker came on for the last 20 minutes and kicked three goals from three attempts.
Taieri 27 (Kori Rupene 2, Rhys Collins, Charlie O'Connell tries; Hayden Parker 2 con, pen), Kaikorai 23 (Dan Hyndman, Matt Te Tana tries; Cam Rutherford 2 con, 3 pen). Halftime: Kaikorai 13-5.
