The return of the big guns put University A back on the winning track when they beat Harbour 42-33 in an exciting game at the University Oval today.

The students lost four games in a row when their elite players were either injured or on duty with New Zealand Universities on the tour to Australia.

No 8 Paul Grant showed his class on his return and was dangerous running with the ball in hand.

Speedster David Thompson, in his first game of the season, outflanked the defence to score a try.

First five-eighth Tom Halse, in his best game of the season, scored 17 points with a try, three conversions and two penalty goals.

Elsewhere, Tony Fenner kicked five penalty goals to give Southern a 25-13 win over Alhambra-Union.

Flanker Mika Mafi was in top form for Green Island when they beat Zingari-Richmond 32-15.

A late try by wing Sione Pulu gave Dunedin an upset 18-16 win over Pirates.

Southern now leads the competition by eight points from Taieri.

The points are: Southern 37, Taieri 29, Alhambra-Union 24, Pirates, Dunedin 23, Green Island 22, University A 14, Kaikorai, Harbour 11, Zingari 0.

 

DUNEDIN...............................18

PIRATES...................................16

Dunedin 19 (Sione Pulu 2 tries; Liam Edwards con, 2 pen), Pirates 16 (Glenn Dickson try, con, 3 pen). Halftime: 10-all.

Referee: Jeff Grubb.

 

SOUTHERN................................25

ALHAMBRA-UNION...................13

Southern 25 (Greg Zampach, Sam Gibson tries; Tony Fenner 5 pens), Alhambra-Union 13 (Percy Stephens, Ben Pereira tries; Peter Breen pen). Halftime: Southern 16-3.

Referee: Anthony Sowerby (Auckland).

 

GREEN ISLAND...........................32

ZINGARI-RICHMOND.................15

Green Island 32 (Roma Sauileoge 2, Titapu Lewington, Guy Archibald, Frankie Elisara tries; Jesse Toto 2 con, pen), Zingari-Richmond 15 (Karl Hart, Kris Miller tries; Mark Hunter con, pen). Halftime: Zingari 12-8.

Referee: Todd Pullar.

 

TAIERI..........................30

KAIKORAI......................21

Taieri 30 (Tom Davie, Rhys Collins tries; Andrew Reid 1 con, 6 pen), Kaikorai 21 (Tony Ensor 2, Sam Cadogan tries; Tony Ensor 2 pen). Halftime: 16-14 Kaikorai.

Referee Michael Lash (Southland).

 

UNIVERSITY A..........................42

HARBOUR...................................33

University A 42 (David Thompson, Tom Halse, Sean Romans, Paul Grant, Stephen Fenemore, Brenton Thompson tries; Halse 3 con, 2 pen), Harbour 33 (Rema Smith, Daniel Smart, Angus Duckett 2, Brad Griffiths tries; Lance Taylor 4 con). Halftime: University A 29-14.

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe.