Dunedin played well for six minutes and in the process scored three converted tries and effectively won the game. The other 74 minutes at Kettle Park were, to be generous, less than memorable.
Alhambra-Union was decimated by injury, but numerous colts players filled in admirably and were unlucky not to take some points out of the game.
While its scrum really struggled, Alhambra competed well in the lineout, hoed into the loose play with vigour and thus dominated possession.
In the first half, Alhambra kicked two penalties and Dunedin scored two well-executed tries that were set up by Gareth Evans and Ashton Tuck respectively and finished by Liam Edwards' extreme pace.
Dunedin scored early in the second spell off two rolling mauls, Brad Weber sniping round the ruck and over under the bar. Dunedin spent the next 10 minutes on attack but butchered at least four try-scoring opportunities through bad option-taking and poor passing.
Alhambra dominated the last 20 minutes and Graeme Cashmore went over for a deserved team try from a scrum close to the line. It attacked desperately in the last few minutes but was held up by resolute Dunedin defence, personified by Edwards' try-saving tackle on his own line.
For Dunedin, Sam Anderson-Heather was uncompromising at hooker, Evans showed great pace at times and Mark Grieve-Dunn carried the ball well. Edwards and Tumua Ioane were the best of the backs.
Alhambra-Union flankers Cody Oughton and Gregor Croudis tore into everything, Colin Davies and Tili Puloka (in his 50th game) were solid in the midfield and 17-year-old fullback Noah Cooper was steady at the back.
Dunedin 21 (Liam Edwards 2, Brad Weber tries; Edwards 3 con)
Alhambra-Union 13 (Graeme Cashmore try; Noah Cooper con, 2 pen)
Halftime: Dunedin 14-6.
