Alhambra-Union overcame a sluggish first half to score a comfortable 27-17 win over a tenacious Green Island at the North Ground.
Down 10-8 at halftime, Alhambra-Union scored three tries (and 19 points) in 15 minutes in the second spell before Green Island scored a deserved consolation try on the final whistle.
Alhambra-Union deserved its four-tries-to-two win but it was hard work against an enthusiastic and hard-working Green Island team.
Alhambra-Union lost inspirational captain and No 8 Matt Kissick with a leg injury after half an hour but the other forwards stepped up in the second spell.
Scott Manson anchored a strong scrum, James Willocks had a sound all-round game at lock and flankers Steven Lack and BJ Oliver ran all day.
Peter Breen controlled play well from first five-eighth, Matt Daley was a quick-thinking opportunist at centre who scored two tries in just a few minutes and Kurt Baker had a fine all-round game at fullback.
No 8 Mika Mafi and blindside flanker Tala Moli were hard-running forwards for Green Island and Josh Beer was an extremely mobile prop who often committed two or three tacklers.
Dean Moeahu was efficient at halfback, Sam Erepia ran straight and hard at centre and Highlanders winger, Telusa Veainu, playing at fullback, adapted well and also proved to be a useful goal-kicker.
It was Alhambra-Union's third consecutive win and Green Island's third consecutive loss but, on the evidence of Saturday, Green Island's first win is not far away.
