Brilliant defence by the students led to a solid win by University A over Harbour in difficult conditions at Watson Park on Saturday.
Harbour scored first and dominated the first 20 minutes, but the students got on top in the second 20 minutes to score 21 points and take an 11-point lead at the break.
The strong southerly wind came through in the second spell and it favoured Harbour.
But the home side did not use it effectively and let University A off the hook.
Harbour had a big territorial advantage in the second spell and the student defence was tested.
Loose forwards Hoani Matenga, Brad Cameron and hooker Simon Forrest formed a barrier that Harbour was not able to breach.
Matenga was the player of the game with his speed to the breakdown, skills in the line-out and his ability to break the advantage line with the ball in hand.
First five-eighth Chris Noakes punted accurately and read the conditions perfectly.
His goal kicking was on target and he kicked four goals in the difficult conditions.
Andrew Parata was a solid defender in the midfield.
The best players for Harbour were second five-eighth Wayne Gibson and flanker Ra Kahukiwa.
The lack of a reliable goal-kicker proved costly.
University A 26 (Brad Nichol, Simon Forrest, Shay Moon tries; Chris Noakes conversion 3 penalty goals), Harbour 15 (Wayne Gibson, Angus Duckett, Pieter van der Merwe tries).
Halftime: University A 21-10.
Referee: Doug Rodgers.
