University A made an enthusiastic start and dominated the first quarter at the University Oval.
It took time for the more experienced Alhambra-Union team to settle.
The students displayed enterprise and attacked from all parts of the paddock and first five-eighth Brad Nicol, who kicked four goals from five attempts, gave the students a 9-0 lead after 23 minutes.
Openside flanker Dale Jarden was having an aggressive game and made some strong runs with the ball, midfield back Ryan Grant broke the advantage line and fullback Ben Hones was dangerous on the counter-attack.
But just when it seemed Alhambra-Union had lost its grip, it started to dominate the game.
The change started when Alhambra-Union put three phases together and burst into the students' 22m.
Prop Dane Maraki grabbed the ball burst 15m for the first try of the game after 26 minutes.
Five-eighths Jone Paumau and Luke Reihana were kicking over the heads of the student backs and catching them as they attempted to run the ball back.
The pressure kept mounting and Alhambra-Union took the lead after 33 minutes when Reihana kicked a 48m penalty goal.
The pressure told a few minutes later when the students fumbled the ball inside their own 22m and Reihana sprinted 18m for the second try, and Alhambra-Union led 17-12 at the break.
Alhambra-Union kept the University A players squeezed inside their own half for the first 20 minutes of the second spell before wing Mike Jacobs grabbed a kick into the student 22m and ran 18m for a try to stretch the margin to 25-12.
Experienced University A lock Albie Herron broke the shackles when he ran upfield for 40m to put the students into the attacking zone after 25 minutes.
But the defence held and the Alhambra-Union pack held on to its advantage and closed the game down with the pick-and-go for the last 10 minutes.
Lock Cowan Finch and young prop Liam Coltman had strong games in the Alhambra-Union forwards.
Alhambra-Union 25 (Mike Jacobs, Luke Reihana, Dane Maraki tries; Reihana 2 conversions, 2 penalty goals), University A 12 (Brad Nicol 4 penalty goals).
Half-time: 17-12.
Referee: Ross Barnett.
