University A and big No 8 Paul Grant displayed their best form of the season as they beat Harbour in an 11-try thriller at University Oval.
Both teams relished the sun on their backs, and the chance to move the ball wide. Harbour also produced its most enterprising form of the competition.
University A seemed to have the game sewn up at halftime when it led 29-14 but Harbour bounced back tenaciously and it was only a last-minute try, from a breakdown in the Harbour backs, that finally clinched the students' victory.
Grant was outstanding in the University pack, regularly breaking the first line of the defence, and he scored a fine individual try when he sidestepped through the opposition from 30 metres out.
Sean Romans set the backs alight quickly from halfback and Brenton Thomson was an incisive runner from fullback. Tom Halse is growing in confidence at first five-eighth and he contributed 17 points, including a fine try when he stretched and dived to get the ball down one-handed.
Harbour showed a willingness to move the ball, backs and forwards combining in some fluent moves which stretched and at times outflanked the University A defence.
Hooker Peter Mirrielees was in everything, Brad Griffiths was industrious at lock and flanker Angus Duckett scored two tries as a reward for his unstinting support play. Lance Taylor, Daniel Smart, Corey Kara and Ben Main all had their moments in a backline which never died wondering.
- University A 42 (David Thompson, Tom Halse, Sean Romans, Paul Grant, Stephen Fenemore, Brenton Thompson tries; Halse 3 con, 2 pen), Harbour 33 (Rema Smith, Daniel Smart, Angus Duckett 2, Brad Griffiths tries; Lance Taylor 4 con). Halftime: University A 29-14. Referee: Ben O'Keeffe.