Southern had to work hard to beat a gallant University A and regain the Cavanagh Memorial Trophy at the University Oval.
University A led 7-6 at halftime, kept Southern tryless for 65 minutes and the final try-count was 2-2.
Southern dominated territory and possession in the first half but was unable to crack a stout student defence.
The Southern backs seldom clicked, many passes going to land rather than hand. No 8 Andrew Stead scored the first try from a rolling maul and wing Greg Zampach from a fine run just inside the right touchline.
Steve Fenmore scored a fine individual try for University A 10 minutes into the first half and livewire hooker Sam Sturgess crashed over from broken play four minutes from the end.
The game did not rise to any great heights but the feature was the determination of the students, who had been beaten 77-3 by Southern earlier in the season.
First five-eighth Julius Glasson made some telling half-breaks for Southern but the outside backs were out of sorts with their passing and handling. Hamish Buick goal-kicked beautifully and kicked five from five, three from the sideline. Stead put in a typically honest effort from the back of the scrum, Sam Gibson was a willing worker from lock and Warren Moffat led the side well from prop.
Guy Schwikkard and Fenemore were strong runners in the University A backline, Dale Jordan had a strong all-round game from No 8 and Sturgess was never far from the ball.
It was Southern's 15th consecutive win but it was one of University A's gutsier performances and it was unfortunate to be denied a bonus point.
Southern remains unbeaten this winter and leads the Gallaway Trophy competition with 69 points and is followed by Taieri 53, Pirates 49, Dunedin 46, Alhambra-Union 32, Harbour 31, Kaikorai 30, Green Island 28, University A 27, Zingari-Richmond 0.
First five-eighth Andrew Reid returned from his injury break to kick seven goals and score 18 of Taieri's points when Pirates was beaten 38-14.
Midfield back Ben Nowell showed his class by scoring two of Taieri's four tries.
Liam Edwards, in his first game back after injury, scored 26 of Dunedin's points when Alhambra-Union was beaten 46-8.
Prop Will Henry played a rugged game in his hundredth premier match for Dunedin.
The leading points scorers are: Liam Edwards (Dunedin) 168, Peter Breen (Alhambra-Union) 148, Cam Rutherford (Kaikorai) 139, Glenn Dickson (Pirates) 137, Andrew Reid (Taieri) 136, Tony Fenner (Southern) 106, Tom Halse (University A) 90.
TAIERI....................................38
PIRATES...................................14
Taieri 38 (Matt O'Sullivan, Kieran Moffat, Ben Nowell 2 tries; Andrew Reid 3 con, 4 pen), Pirates 14 (Po'amo Ailoilo try; Ben Miller 3 pen). Halftime: Taieri 19-6. Referee: Liam Scanlon.
DUNEDIN....................................46
ALHAMBRA-UNION...................8
Dunedin 46 (Liam Edwards 2, Sione Pulu, Tumua Ioane, Daryl Caldwell, Richard Thompson tries; Edwards 5 con, 2 pen), Alhambra-Union 8 (Regan Turoa try; Peter Breen pen). Halftime: Dunedin 32-3. Referee: Ben O'Keefe.
SOUTHERN................................23
UNIVERSITY A.............................12
Southern 23 (Greg Zampach, Andrew Stead tries; Hamish Buick 2 con, 3 pen), University A 12 (Stephen Fenemore, Sam Sturgess tries; Fenemore con). Halftime: University A 7-6. Referee: Jeff Grubb.
KAIKORAI......................................35
ZINGARI-RICHMOND....................10
Kaikorai 35 (Matt Direen, Tony Ensor, Cam Rutherford, Matt Te-Tana, Jim Stevenson tries; Rutherford 2 con, 2 pen), Zingari-Richmond 10 (Colin Enright, Chris Bell tries). Halftime: 5-5. Referee: Hamish Davies.
HARBOUR....................................35
GREEN ISLAND...........................18
Harbour 35 (Dan Smart (2), Peter Mirielees, Lex Kaleca tries; Craig Sneddon 3 con, 3 pen), Green Island 18 (Sam Eriepa, Jared Fahey, Jesse Toto tries; Jared Fahey 1pen). Halftime: 23-8 Harbour. Referee: Gareth Reed.