In front of a crowd of about 300, heavy favourite Southern was made to work in the first half but dominated the second.
In a match which featured some exciting defence from both teams, it was Uni-Albion's star defender, Hannah Broederlow, who took first blood.
Anticipating a long pass into the goal third, she ran from the goal circle to the transverse line in a feat of athleticism to claim her intercept.
This was converted into valuable points by ever-reliable team-mate Anna Molineaux (goal attack).
Not to be outdone, Southern A goal keep Lorie McDonald matched her counterpart with an equally dramatic effort to impose herself on the match.
Southern took a slight advantage in the opening quarter, 13 -11.
With changes to the Southern attack line - Debbie White moving from wing attack to centre, Jessica Tuki from centre to goal attack, Millie Lees being injected into the game at wing attack and Rihi Salter going from goal attack to the bench - Southern looked poised to pounce.
Sure enough, in the opening 5min of the second quarter it had extended its lead to six and looked strong.
However, Uni-Albion thrust forward and, led again by defenders, it pegged back Southern.
Goal shoot Pip Ellen lifted her performance to match the occasion, and at half-time it was anyone's game at 26-25 to Southern.
In an orchestrated display of long-release passes from the defence end, coupled with well-timed mid-court attack play on to the circle edge, a rejuvenated Southern looked unstoppable in the second half.
Uni-Albion seemingly had no answers to the onslaught and was left wondering what had happened.
At three-quarter time, Southern had a comfortable 42-32 advantage.
Uni Albion injected Louise Thayer into goal keep, taking Broederlow to goal defence and benching Jamie Power.
Brigette Hollander came on at centre for Sam Durie-Aranga.
But these moves failed to close the floodgates, and Southern took the final quarter 15-8.
Southern coach Georgie Salter was pleased with the overall performance of both teams and spoke of a co-operative competition that made her role as Otago coach easier as players played more meaningful netball.
Result: Southern A 57 (Grier Campbell 30 goals from 39 attempts, Jess Tuki 21/28, Rihi Salter 6/13), Uni Albion A 40 (Pip Allen 16/24, Anna Molineaux 24/26).
