Waitaki was expected to dominate the game and, after leading 20-6 at halftime, it appeared it would only be a matter of time before the St Kevin's dam broke.
But a gallant defensive effort by St Kevin's restricted Waitaki to two unconverted tries in the second spell.
Waitaki dominated possession but its lateral-running backline was generally covered by the St Kevin's defence.
Energetic young fullback Jamie Robb starred for Waitaki. He was often up in the line and featured on defence, and he was an astute counter-attacker.
Both sides were guilty of kicking away possession, especially Waitaki, which had dangerous players in Neil Hill, Dean Fenwick and later Matt Day, out wide.
Halfback Matt Daly and centre Tim Sturkenboom were the pick of the St Kevin's backs, with Rory McNamara and Oliver Hailes the best of the forwards. For Waitaki Boys', lock Matt Bentley and No 8 Michael Familton stood out.
St Kevin's led 6-3 before Waitaki scored the first try, the forwards driving to the line and halfback Ben Fox sending winger Neil Hill in wide out.
Fox, first five Tim Scott and Hill then combined for Scott to score, and Bentley added a third try just before the break.
Flanker Hamish Ward-Smith bagged the first try of the second half, before Waitaki scored arguably the best try of the game, 15 minutes from fulltime.
Replacement winger Day took a clearing kick then outsprinted the defence to touch down after a 55m run.
• Waitaki Boys' High School 30 (Neil Hill, Tim Scott, Matt Bentley, Hamish Ward-Smith, Matt Day tries; George Bell pen, con), St Kevin's College 6 (Tom Quire 2 pen). Halftime: Waitaki Boys' 20-6.
- Terry O'Neill.
