Flanker Jack Wolfreys' speed to the breakdown and his support play played a key role in University A's win over Dunedin at Kettle Park.
The students punished Dunedin's mistakes and spread the ball wide to score six tries.
Dunedin was on top in the early stages with its powerful front row of Kelsey Miller, Sam Anderson-Heather and David Smart making ground with the pick and go. Miller scored an early try after centre Tumua Ioane had broken through the midfield.
Dunedin camped inside the student 22m for long periods in the first spell but turned over ball seven times and this proved costly.
The first University try came from a Dunedin mistake when fullback Matt Faddes grabbed the ball and broke outside his own 22m. Wolfreys was up in support and broke into the Dunedin half and centre Fassiu Fuatai scored the try.
A Wolfreys burst soon after this led to the second student try, scored by winger Sam McLachlan. Stephen Fenemor added two penalty goals and the students led 16-8 at the break.
The fleet-footed University backs attacked from all parts of the paddock and an early second-half try stretched the lead to 23-8.
The students kept control after this. Wolfreys scored a try himself and Faddes initiated counterattacks from all parts of the ground.
Dunedin closed the gap to eight points, 28-20, midway through the spell. But it kept turning over ball and the mistakes proved costly.
University A 40 (Matt Faddes, Sam McLachlan, Fassiu Fuatai, Jack Wolfreys, Sam Sturgess, Paddy Ryan tries; Stephen Fenemor 2 con, 2 pen), Dunedin 27 (Kai Daniels, Joe Dobson, Kelsey Miller, David Smart tries; Pera Gibbs con, pen, Gifford Henry con). Halftime: 16-8.
