Promising fullback Matt Faddes was in superb touch and scored two late tries as University A came from behind to beat Dunedin at Kettle Park.
Dunedin led 20-14 and was in control when Faddes turned the game around with two brilliant individual tries.
He shot through a hole midway through the second spell and ran around the wing and fullback to score wide out to make it a one-point game.
Then, in the final minute, Faddes shot down the blindside and eluded the defence to win the game for the students.
It was a Houdini act by Faddes to take the game from a Dunedin team that had controlled possession and territory for the middle 40 minutes with its strong scrum and the powerful work of loose forwards Tim Fraser and Anthony Diack who dominated the breakdown.
The students had been in control in the first quarter and led 6-0 after first five-eighth Tom Halse kicked two of his three first half penalty goals after 14 and 18 minutes.
Dunedin took the lead 7-6 when midfield back Michael Walding used his strength to score the first try and Fraser added a second try after a rolling maul to give Dunedin a 12-6 lead.
A long-range penalty goal by Halse closed the gap to three points at the break.
Hooker Will Henry was dominant as the Dunedin pack continued to take charge in the second spell and extended the lead to 17-9 after Diack scored an intercept try.
The students came back into the game after 15 minutes, with lock Alby Herron winning two-handed lineout ball that was used efficiently by halfback Sean Romans.
Ryan Grant looked dangerous in the midfield.
The gap was closed to three points, 17-14, when Halse kicked in rugby league style for wing David Thompson to gather and crash over.
University A 26 (Matt Faddes 2, David Thompson tries; Tom Halse 3 pen, Ryan Grant con), Dunedin 20 (Michael Walding, Tim Fraser, Anthony Diack tries; Robbie Smith pen, con).
Halftime: Dunedin 12-9.
Referee: Tim Baker.
