A hard grafting 22-13 win for the Southland Stags in the southern derby against neighbours Otago to start their NPC season.
Meanwhile Canterbury were too strong for Northland in Christchurch, but the losing side showed plenty of promise for future matches.
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And Bay of Plenty were 36-21 winners over Super Rugby teammates Waikato in Hamilton.
In Invercargill Southland captain Sean Withy led his side to its first win against Otago since 2020 in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Rugby Park.
Withy grew up in Southland but had played all his NPC rugby for Otago, but returned 'home' to be part of a fierce loose forward crew who worked hard all game.
Otago lost No 8 Christian Lio-Willie was ruled out late which meant Will Stodart moved to the back of the scrum and debutant Ale Aho started at lock. Earlier in the week they had halfback James Arscott out injured in practice.
To makes things worse wing Jona Nareki and midfielder Josh Timu weren' able to finish the first half.
Further north, all of Canterbury's tries went to the tight-five, but arguably the hero was Mitchell Drummond who achieved his 100th cap for the province.
Northland scored first through prop Chris Apauo with Rivez Reihana converting for a 7-0 lead after three minutes, however from then on it went downhill for the visitors.
Hooker Brodie McAlister scored his first of three tries, lock Jamie Hannah was next to cross followed Tevita Latu for Northland, but it was McAlister again who finished off the half for a 17-14 lead.
In the second spell the stacked Canterbury team piled on the pressure with McAlister scoring his third and then his replacement, Ben Funnell also grabbing a two tries.
Meanwhile, Bay of Plenty were dominant over Chiefs franchise teammates Waikato in Hamilton, winning 36-21 and scoring five tries to three in the process.
Southland 22 (Blair Ryall, Viliami Fine, Isaac Te Tamaki tries; Byron Smith 2 con, pen)
Otago 13 (Liam Coltman try; Cameron Millar con, 2 pen). HT: 10-6
Canterbury 34 (Brodie McAlister 3, Ben Funnell 2, Jamie Hannah tries; Isaac Hutchinsoncon, James White con) Northland 21 (Chris Apauo, Tevita Latu, Heremaia Murray tries; Rivez Reihana 3 con). HT: 17-14
Bay of Plenty 36 (Joseph Johnston 2, Cody Vai, Emoni Narawa, Seamus Bardoui tries; Kaleb Trask 4 con, pen) Waikato 21: Laghlan McWannell, Quinn Tupaea, Josh Moorby tries; D'Angelo Leuila con, Taha Kemara 2 con)