They are one of the strongest teams in The Heartland Championship, winning the Meads Cup section of the competition in its second year, 2007 as well as 2010.

The highlight of the 1971 season was the selection of Kurow's Phil Gard for the All Blacks, fourth test against the Lions at Eden Park.

The highlight of the early 1990s was a Ranfurly Shield challenge in 1993 when Auckland brought the trophy on tour.

The crowd went delirious after 5 minutes when Brent McEwan scored a try from a set move to give North Otago a 5–0 lead.

A lot of the credit for the massive resurgence in North Otago rugby during this period must go to the outstanding coaches, Greg Shipton and Peter Cook.

Moore, a former Mid Canterbury representative, had instant success with the side and only narrowly lost the final against East Coast 21–25.

2002 saw the North Otago Rugby Union celebrate its 75th jubilee and it indeed appropriate that in the 75th year of its existence the side should take the third division title beating Horowhenua 43-19 before an ecstatic crowd.

However, the team responded magnificently and finished in the top four but lost the semi-final to Hawke's Bay in Napier in controversial circumstances.

Still getting over the loss of the 2001 Division 3 NPC final against South Canterbury, North Otago set out to play harder, faster, and more superb rugby in 2002, And that is exactly what they did.

Back home with the shields and cups, North Otago showed Buller who was boss and a 38–15 win was created.

A Quick trip to Taupō to play King Country and almost repeating their last game's score winning 27–16.

Horowhenua-Kapiti tried to get back in the game but North Otago were playing a higher grade of rugby and when the referee blew his whistle to end the match, North Otago had won the title they had been waiting more than four years to get, winning the match 43–19.

In 2007, North Otago won the Meads Cup trophy in the Heartland Championship, defeating Wanganui 25–8.

North Otago went back home for a Hanan Shield defence against South Canterbury, continuing their winning streak 26–7.

First awarded in 1903, with the Oamaru Football Club the inaugural holders, it has been played for annually ever since with the only brief breaks happening during World War 1 and 2.

Ian (Spooky) Smith, who played for the Old Boys Club, was selected for tests against the 1965 Springboks and Mike Campbell-Lamerton's 1966 British Lions.