The Logan Saints cemented their position in the top four with a 23 – 22 win over the previously undefeated University of Queensland in their first-division rugby union match on the weekend.

Logan were behind from the opening minutes with UQ crossing for two early soft tries for a 14 point lead.

The Saints rallied and fought their way back into the match, firstly with winger Pat Edwards threatening the line with a long run and powerfully shredding attempted tackles.

Logan hooker Pat Fepuleai scored the first points for the visitors when a clever lineout move resulted in open spaces near the sideline and Fepuleai dived over in the corner.

The Saints were next to score with winger Jarom Mareikura constantly threatening in attack to set up strong field position for half-back Tim Burrows to kick a penalty goal to reduce the deficit to 14 – 10 going into half-time.

From the kick-off, Saints full-back Kai Pheeney went on a long run before losing the ball in contact as Logan looked to be on track to take the upper hand.

But instead it was UQ who scored next when a strong scrum saw them steal possession from the Saints against the feed to score a try, which was quickly followed by a penalty goal for a 12 point lead late in the match.

Lock Kris Ziepes kept UQ from extending the lead further when he made a desperate second effort in defence and pulled down a UQ back with the try line begging as part of a sustained Logan defensive effort with the game threatening to get away from the Saints.

A turnover to Logan and a penalty from a late shot on Mareikura gave the Saints the field position they needed to allow Burrows to kick another penalty goal.

Mareikura almost scored from the restart with a chip in behind the defensive line, but the winger was not to be denied as five-eighth Chris Staunton made good use of clean line-out ball to pop a sharp, short pass to Mareikura to score under the posts.

With UQ holding onto a slender two point lead, two penalty attempts at goal from the home side sailed wide of the posts to give the Saints a life and Dave Temperley matched the effort of his locking partner by pulling off a try-saving tackle of his own.

Eventually, the Saints worked their way back up the field and after a solid series of attacking phases, won a penalty in front of the posts which Burrows coolly kicked for the lead.

UQ rallied from the kick-off but Logan’s defence held strong in the dying minutes close to the line for the narrowest of wins.

The Logan Saints continue their first-division rugby union campaign next week with matches at Homestead Park, Shailer Park against Brothers.