The Otago Boys’ High School First XV underlined its tag as tournament favourite with a clinical first half to beat John McGlashan College on Saturday.
It led McGlashan 15-0 at the break and went on to win the Otago Premier Schools fixture 25-10.
The encounter perhaps offered a glimpse into the future, with many predicting the two teams will meet in the final.
If that is the case, Otago Boys’ made an important statement and consolidated its place at the top of the standings with the win.
Coach Ryan Martin was thrilled with his side’s effort in the first half.
"It was just a very, very clinical performance.
"I don’t know if Johnnies got into our 20 in the first half, to be honest.
"They very rarely got over the halfway mark. We just squeezed them."
Otago Boys’ scored two tries and kicked a penalty with all their territorial dominance .
McGlashan rallied in the second spell with two tries and shared the half 10-10.
One of the tries was from an intercept, against the run of play. However, McGlashan was
able to put its highly-rated opponent under some pressure and forced Otago Boys’ to defend well.
Otago Boys’ first five-eighth Tevita Asi controlled play with some exceptional tactical kicking, and No 8 Oliver Griffin was all over the breakdown and nabbed several crucial turnovers for his side.
In the other top six games, King’s High School First XV recorded a comfortable 32-3 win against Dunstan High School at King’s, while Waitaki Boys’ High School beat Mt Aspiring College 21-12 in Wanaka to move into second place.
In the bottom six, Taieri College scored its second win with a comfortable 41-5 win against King’s 2nds in Outram, while the Otago Boys’ 2nds dispatched Kavanagh College 48-14 at Kettle Park.