University A produced a clinical yet entertaining brand of rugby as it overwhelmed Zingari-Richmond at the University Oval to win the Speight's Challenge Shield.
The well-drilled students dominated possession and territory and Zingari spent most of the match making tackles.
They did so bravely but, in the end, the superior skills and speed of the students were too much as they ran in eight tries, four in each half, to one.
University A No 8 Paul Grant was the outstanding player of the game, scoring one try, featuring in several others and showing a range of skills which should make him a valuable member of the Otago squad later this year.
The tight five, well led by Sam Hibbard and Simon Forrest, dominated, Albie Herron claimed quality line-out ball and Brad Cameron and Dale Jarden supported Grant well in the tight-loose.
Ryan Grant was a strong runner in midfield for University A, Nick Currie was a tidy and resourceful halfback, Hamish Johnstone ran in two tries expertly on the left wing and it was an ominous all-round performance.
The winning margin would have been even greater had University A's goal-kicking been better.
Only three of nine attempts succeeded.
Zingari battled bravely but it simply ran out of defenders against rampant opposition.
Ben Kent and Kurt Schruder were lively attackers in midfield, Johnny Noakes was tidy at first five-eighth and Mason Pomare, Elliot Mitchell and Bradley Carmichael were industrious workers in the forwards.
University A 46 (Hamish Johnstone 2, Brett Mather, Ryan Grant, Nick Currie, Paul Grant, Simon Forrest, Jeremy Aldworth tries; Brad Nichol 2 conversions, Henry McLernon conversion), Zingari-Richmond 8 (Charley Henley try; Jonny Noakes penalty goal).
Half-time: University A 22-3.
Referee: Ross Barnett.
