Fullback Matt Faddes scored a brilliant try in injury time to clinch a deserved win for University A over Pirates at Hancock Park.
Faddes received the ball about 40m out and ran at an angle to score under the posts and extinguish Pirates' challenge.
Pirates had trailed 25-23 but seemed almost certain to sneak victory. Prop Halani Aulika seemed to have scored after a big scrum but the try was disallowed and then Glenn Dickson missed a dropped goal from in front which would have nudged Pirates ahead.
It was a much improved performance by University A and no-one can argue with a four tries to two win. But it was an error-plagued game and the quality of rugby did not match the weather.
Faddes was again a potent attacking weapon for University A, Sean Romans was a tidy halfback and there was a typically grafting game from captain and blindside flanker Brad Cameron.
Pirates played well in patches but there were too many mistakes as it blew some gilt-edged chances. One came 10 minutes into the second spell when centre Isaac Beach intercepted but lost the ball over the line.
No 8 Warren Kearney was typically industrious in his 100th game and Highlanders hooker Mahonri Schwalger had a strong game which he capped with a try.
Fullback Ben Miller, deputising as goal-kicker for Dickson who had a hip flexor problem, kicked five from five but, in the end, Pirates went away empty-handed from a game it should have won.
University A 32 (Matt Faddes, Brenton Thompson, Rob Verbakel, Sam Sturgess tries; Faddes 3 con, pen, Tom Halse pen), Pirates 23 (Mahonri Schwalger, Solomon T-Pole tries; Ben Miller 2 con, 3 pen). Halftime: University A 17-13.