University claimed their 19th Gallaher Shield title today at Eden Park with a comprehensive 39-18 win over Suburbs.

Just 12 months ago University were playing in the premier bottom eight, today they showed they well and truly belong among the top clubs in Auckland.

The victory was built on a huge forwards performance, four of their six tries coming from the men up front.

University captain and first five-eighths Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald opened the scoring with an early penalty. It was just reward for his team who dominated early possession and territory.

Suburbs showed just how dangerous they could be when given a sniff, a bruising run from Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz led to their first try, Bruno Tuivai proving too quick down the wing. Carl Perry failed to convert but Suburbs held a slender 5-3 lead.

A heavy knock to University stalwart halfback Brenton Helleur was a big loss but replacement Henry Saker was lively after taking over.

University regained the lead after taking a quick tap from a penalty on the five metre line. After a few surges at the line Uini Fetalaiga powered over in the corner. Elkington-MacDonald’s conversion attempt fell clear, Universty led 8-5.

From that point on, University held the lead and continued to extend it.

With the last play of the first half, prop Marcel Renata dived through the ruck and over the tryline to have the halftime advantage at 13-5.

It was the forwards in again early in the second, with replacement prop Antonio Ripata dotting down to take the score to 20-5.

Suburbs struck back, taking a quick lineout near halfway, Sebastian Visinia set up Fa’anana-Schultz for a try in the corner, to narrow the deficit to 20-10.

Shortly after Perry knocked over a penalty to again close the scoreline.

It was midway through the second half that University fullback Sam Lawson scored the try of the match. Collecting a chip kick that was sent through from Suburbs, Lawson went 60 metres and wrong footed the last three defenders with class on his way to the try line.

The conversion took the lead out 27-13.

Workhorse University lock Lyndon Dunshea was rewarded for a solid performance with a try in the 70th minute before Suburbs’ Sailosi Vatubua returned the favour with a try to Suburbs.

It was only fitting that Elkington-MacDonald had the last say of the match, the University captain crossing for a try to make the final score 39-18.