The shock loss by Varsity A has thrown the Gallaway Trophy competition wide open and has put Pirates and Alhambra-Union in touch.
The students were downed 24-15 by Harbour in the biggest upset of the Dunedin premier competition this season.
First five-eighth James White was the hero for the Harbour team with his strong defence and astute tactical sense.
He contained the student maestro Chris Noakes who was not allowed to weave his magic.
The return of big guns Peter Mirrielees and Ben Nolan to the Harbour front row enabled them to control the scrum. The South African input was also important with prop Pieter van der Merwe and flanker Eben Joubert having a decisive influence on the game.
Dunedin retained the Ron Regget Memorial Trophy when it beat Southern 27-22 with Michael Walding playing a key role in the midfield.
Southern's last win was in 2006. Southern won its first three games of the season and looked to be a champion team, but it has slumped in the last five games with a draw and five losses and will struggle to make the semi-finals.
The leading points scorers are: Chris Noakes (University A) 97, Luke Reihana (Alhambra-Union) 89 , Craig Sneddon (Harbour) 61, Hayden Parker (Taieri) 49, Lewis Hancock (Southern) 48, Glenn Dickson (Pirates) 46, Peter Breen (Alhambra-Union 43, Cam Rutherford (Kaikorai) 39.
The points after seven rounds are: University A 32, Pirates 27, Alhambra-Union 26, Dunedin 22, Taieri 21, Harbour 19, Southern 18, Kaikorai 17, Green Island 7, Zingari-Richmond 0.
DUNEDIN....................................27
SOUTHERN.................................22
Dunedin 27 (Simon Davey, Robbie Smith tries; Louis Tili 2 conversions 3 penalty goals, Robbie Smith penalty goal), Southern 22 (Luke Herden, Lewis Hancock, Blair Polwart tries; Hancock 2 conversions, penalty goal). Halftime: Dunedin 21-7.
Referee: Tim Baker.
TAIERI.............................21
GREEN ISLAND................13
Taieri 21 (Shannon Young, Tom Davie, Jack Stewart tries; Blake Korteweg 3 conversions), Green Island 13 (Nasi Manu try; Alex Davies conversion, 2 penalty goals). Halftime: Taieri 7-6.
Referee: Ross Barnett.
ALHAMBRA-UNION................................45
KAIKORAI................................................13
Alhambra-Union 45 (Peter Breen 3, Paula Kinikinilau, Ben Qauqau, Brad Rapley tries; Luke Reihana 3 conversions, 2 penalty goals, dropped goal), Kaikorai 13 (Kensak Palepoi, Jamie Williams tries; Danny van der Voort penalty goal). Halftime: Alhambra-Union 15-8.
Referee: Doug Rodgers.
HARBOUR................................24
UNIVERSITY A ........................15
Harbour 24 (Johnny Legg, Angus Duckett tries; Craig Sneddon conversion, 4 penalty goals), University A 15 (Paul Grant, Andrew Parata tries; Chris Noakes conversion, penalty goal). Halftime: Harbour 13-5.
Referee: Todd Pullar.
PIRATES................................34
ZINGARI-RICHMOND............19
Pirates 34 (Brad Ross, Ben Hanley; Kieran Fowler, Opini Toamalaitai, Marshall Suckling tries; Glenn Dickson 3 conversion, 1 penalty goal), Zingari-Richmond 19 (Ben Kent (2), Nathan Napier tries; Ben Bradley 2 conversions). Halftime: Pirates 29-7.
Referee: Adam Morrison.
