Dannevirke took much of the game to catch up with the wide-ranging attacks of the students and their Turbos players, like Josh Bradnock and James Goode, made a big difference.

It was the end of the first round for Dannevirke, which has the bye next week when many of its men will play in their sub-union's defence of the Bebbington Shield against Central Hawke's Bay. Dannevirke never gave up on Saturday and its best were halfback David Walshe, lock-No.8 Craig Monaghan, Nigel Alexander and Brad Truesdale.

Varsity was without injured first- five Isaac Thompson, and Turbo Francisco Bosch came on for the last 30 minutes, over his hamstring strain. Varsity did the damage out wide with its quick ruck ball, Dannevirke held for the first 15 minutes after halftime, but the score blew out with three Varsity tries in the last 10 minutes.

At Dannevirke:
Varsity 47 (Josh Bradnock 2, Brent Stevenson, James Oakes, Francisco Bosch, Caleb Kahupukoro, Steve Barron, tries; Scott Davidson 6 con)
Dannevirke 5 (Nigel Walshe try) HT 21-5.