Alhambra-Union survived a strong second-half rally by Taieri to claim a narrow win at Peter Johnstone Park.
The fleet-footed Alhambra-Union backline had control in the first half and led 13-3 at the break.
The only try came after 15 minutes, when Alhambra-Union won a scrum and spread the ball wide after two phases and winger Tilitili Puloka scored in the corner.
Alhambra-Union had come close to scoring on two other occasions and looked ready to blow the game apart in the second spell.
The Taieri pack had looked sluggish in the first spell, but it came out firing in the second spell, with loose forwards Charlie O'Connell and Jeremy Corliss being prominent.
Lock Matt Davidson and O'Connell provided clean lineout ball the pack used to drive downfield.
The Taieri revival started after two minutes when Tom Davie burst through the defence for 60m on a counter-attack that took play deep into the Alhambra-Union 22m.
First five-eighth Andrew Reid kept on the pressure with accurate kicks to the corners that kept Alhambra-Union on the back foot.
When he landed his fourth penalty goal from five attempts after 28 minutes the gap was reduced to four points.
The strong midfield defence of Luke Reihana and Paula Kinikinilau and sound covering by fullback Peter Breen shut the Taieri backline down.
The best Alhambra-Union forwards were No 8 Regan Turoa, with his ability to break the advantage line, and flanker Wahari Waitohi who was effective at the breakdown.
Lock Mitch Ewen made seven clean takes in the lineout.
Alhambra-Union 16 (Tilitili Puloka try; Luke Reihana 3 pen, con), Taieri 12 (Andrew Reid 4 pen).
Halftime: Alhambra-Union 13-3.
Referee: Ross Barnett.
