The home team was ahead 19-15 at the break and kept its nose in front throughout the second half against a tough Lions side to win 39-27.
Tei Walden scored a try which gave the home side a 33-20 lead and Lima Sopoaga added two late penalties to ice the game.
Good games from the Highlanders came from lock Tom Franklin and centre Rob Thompson.
The first half was full of action as the Highlanders attempted to run the ball from all corners of the ground.
Lima Sopoaga had his side ahead after just four minutes when he found a gap near the line and wiggled over.
The Highlanders were all energy and the side was finding some holes in the Lions defence.
Liam Coltman was the next to score for the home side, running on to a flat ball from halfback Kayne Hammington.
The home team should have gone further ahead after a Lions player got in the road as the Highlanders launched an attack and the ball ended up in the hands of fullback Ben Smith who ran 20m to score.
It was ruled the Lions player did not intentionally play at the ball but he was running back right in the path of the first receiver so it was more than an accident.
Ten minutes later and No 8 Luke Whitelock went over after some good work by Elliot Dixon.
But the Lions would not go away and two quick tries, one well after the hooter, kept it handy at the break.
Highlanders 39 (Lima Sopoagea, Liam Coltman, Luke Whitelock, Waisake Naholo, Tei Walden tries; Sopoaga 4 con, 2 pen) Lions 27 (Robbie Coetzee 2, Harold Vister, Marnus Schoemann tries; Elton Jantjies 2 con, pen) Halftime: 19-15 Highlanders