It was club rugby at its competitive best when the students won a tense game at the outer University Oval against a Pirates team that refused to give up.
In the end it was the accurate goal kicking of first five-eighth Chris Noakes who kicked five penalty goals from six attempts that sealed the 18-13 win.
He also landed a dropped goal.
The students led 9-6 at the break after an exchange of penalty goals between Noakes and his opposite, Glenn Dickson.
Noakes extended the margin to 12-6 after 15 minutes in the second spell.
A feature of the game was the long punting by Noakes and Dickson, who both gained large hunks of territory with their kicks.
Dickson was not as accurate with his goal kicking and landed just three goals from six attempts, but they were difficult kicks.
Pirates scored the only try of the game midway through the spell when Ben Hanley sped up the right flank, Jeremy Cave came from the opposite wing and used his speed to score wide out.
Dickson's conversion from the sideline gave Pirates the lead 13-12.
A dropped goal and penalty by Noakes sealed the students' win.
Both teams employed solid defence.
Loose forwards Paul Grant and Brad Cameron were tigerish for the students and loose forwards Warren Kearney and Josh Clark and centre Marshall Suckling shut the gate for Pirates.
Neither pack was prepared to concede.
The experienced Pirates front row of Shane Parata, Shaun McCarrol and Daniel Johnson was skilled with the pick and go.
The line-out count was even but the student jumpers, No 8 Paul Grant, and locks Nick Grant and Logan Collins, supplied cleaner ball.
Marshall Suckling was a rock in the Pirates midfield with his strong tackling and his ability to stand in the tackle.
University A 18 (Chris Noakes 5 penalty goals, dropped goal), Pirates 13 (Jeremy Cave try; Glenn Dickson conversion, 2 penalty goals).
Halftime: University 9-6.
Referee: Ben O'Keefe.
