No 8 Paul Grant was in dominant form and played a key role in University A's win over Alhambra-Union at the North Ground.
Grant was dangerous with the ball in hand and broke the advantage line with his powerful running.
He set up good second-phase ball for his forwards or linked with the backs and played a key role in three of the students four tries.
It was a break by Grant from halfway that led to the first try when first five-eighth Chris Noakes sped away to give the students an 8-0 lead after five minutesThe students looked set to take complete control but a spirited Alhambra-Union side fought back and levelled the score when fullback Peter Breen scored four minutes later.
It was a see-sawing game after this.
The students pulled away and led 16-8 at the break after they scored the best try of the game.
Halfback Sean Romans burst down the short side from a scum at halfway and linked with fullback Matt Faddes.
Loose forward Brad Cameron was up in support and Grant used his strength to score the try.
The pattern continued after the break with Alhambra-Union clawing its way back to twice close the gap to four points before University A pulled away again.
The student pack did the basics well with its strong scrum, tidy line-out and the vigour of its loose trio of Grant, Cameron and Hoani Matenga.
Romans and Noakes were a potent inside-back combination and Liam McGrath was solid in the front row.
Noakes kicked six goals from eight attempts to score 21 points.
It was the vigorous defence of Alhambra-Union that kept it in the game.
Props Liam Coltman and Scott Manson were vigorous tacklers around the fringes and Jone Puamau and Paula Kinikinilau were solid on defence and dangerous on attack in the backline.
Puamau kicked three goals from three attempts when he took over the kicking role in the second spell.
University A 36 (Matt Faddes, Chris Noakes, Hoani Matenga, Paul Grant tries; Noakes 2 conversions, 4 penalty goals), Alhambra-Union 25 (Peter Breen, Paula Kinikinilau, Jone Puamau tries; Breen penalty goal, Puamau 2 conversions, penalty goal).
Halftime: University A 16-8.
Referee: Tim Baker.
