Former All Black Brad Thorn helped Taieri get back to the winning side of the ledger in Dunedin club rugby on Saturday.
It was Thorn's first premier game for his boyhood club and it kept Taieri at the top of the Gallaway Trophy competition when it beat Kaikorai 43-18.
In the other top-of-the-table clash, Dunedin beat University A 30-26.
Taieri leads the Gallaway Trophy table with 54 points and is followed by Dunedin 52, Southern 44, Kaikorai and University A 40, Pirates 32, Harbour 26, Alhambra-Union 23, Green Island 14, Zingari-Richmond 10.
Pirates dropped out of contention for a place in the semifinals when they were beaten 36-14 by Alhambra-Union. Peter Breen scored 26 of Alhambra-Union's points and has kicked 21 goals from 21 attempts since returning from injury.
Green Island gained its second win of the season when it beat Harbour 37-30.
Brad Thorn did his job in the tight and laid the foundation for Taieri's convincing win at Peter Johnstone Park.
Taieri put its stamp on the game in the first scrum and had no trouble pushing Kaikorai back after that.
Thorn was backed by fellow lock Kurt Webster, who gained six two-handed takes in the lineout. The front row of Nick McLennan, Henry Parker and Brett Anderson added power to the Taieri scrum.
Loosehead flanker Willis Scott played a dominant role in the loose and scored the first try when he used his strength to burst through the centre.
Replacement No8 Alex Fitzgerald impressed in the 60 minutes he was on the paddock in his first premier game.
Taieri scored three tries to lead 19-13 at the break. The energy-sapping first 40 minutes took its toll on the Kaikorai defence and the Taieri backline was given more freedom in the second spell.
First five-eighth Hayden Parker directed play efficiently and was the best Taieri back. He also kicked six goals from seven attempts.
Midfielders Ben Nowell and Kieran Moffat were also dangerous with the ball in hand and both scored second-half tries.
Loose forwards Nathan Hull and Lee Allan had strong defensive games for Kaikorai. Halfback Willie Lawson and wing Bryce Morgan were the best of the backs.
Taieri 43 (Kieran Moffat, Ben Nowell, Hayden Parker, Willis Scott, Brett Anderson, Kurt Schrader tries; Hayden Parker 5 con, pen)
Kaikorai 18 (Bryce Morgan 2 tries; Cam Rutherford con, 2 pen)
Halftime: Taieri 19-13.
