Openside flanker Jake Rhodes played a key role when Waitaki Boys' High School scored six tries to beat Kavanagh College 33-24 in the Highlanders First XV competition on Saturday.
Waitaki Boys' remains unbeaten after two rounds and shares the lead with Gore High School on 10 points.
The other unbeaten teams are King's High School, Otago Boys' High School and newcomer Menzies College, all with nine points.
Rhodes was inspirational for Waitaki with his tackling, work at the breakdown and support play in the game at Kettle Park.
Waitaki Boys' likes to spread the ball wide and Rhodes was always there in a support role for the backs to ensure continuity.
Waitaki was more aggressive at the breakdown and this was where it had the edge over a courageous Kavanagh College team that never gave up.
The other key players were lock Don Lolo for his work in the lineout and at the kick-off and hooker Ben Carr who snaffled ball from the rucks and mauls.
The best Waitaki try came in the final minute of the game when winger Stephen Butler sprinted 50m to score. The movement started 5m from the Oamaru school's own line when second five-eighth Levi Fogarty grabbed turnover ball and ran to halfway.
The best Kavanagh College player was fullback Rhys Johnson with his ability to counterattack. He scored two tries.
First five-eighth Ben Williamson impressed with his tactical kicking and flanker Tom Bleach was strong on defence.
King's went on the rampage and scored 17 tries to beat Verdon College 110-0. It was the highest score notched up in the three years of the Highlanders First XV competition.
Tim Tolovae, in the midfield, cut through at will and scored four tries, lock Patelo Faasee three and prop Asia Taana two tries. First five-eighth Gifford Henry kicked 12 conversions and a penalty goal and scored a try to score 32 points.
No 8 Stefan van Leeuwen displayed a cool temperament when he kicked a 40m penalty goal from close to the touch line to give John McGlashan a 15-15 draw with South Otago.
Gore beat Dunstan High School 30-7, and Menzies beat St Kevin's College 24-12.