A lightning backline move on seven minutes saw right winger Paul McKenzie in for the first of two first half tries from Andre Bester's side.

They established a 15-0 lead at the break as McKenzie's 15-metre dart over was added to by the sure-footed kicking of returning fly-half Ian Humphreys and number 8 Chris McCarey's 28th minute barge over.

Colm Atkinson's sin-binning saw them waiver slightly after the break, and Trinity moved back into contention with an early forward rumble over, with skipper Hugh Hogan popping over the line.

Quins' loosehead prop Jarlath Carey replied quickly for the home side, and Humphreys' deserved haul of 13 points crowned an impressive display. Trinity lock Martin Garvey grabbed a late consolation, but 'Quins were home and dry.

BELFAST HARLEQUINS: J Lowe; P McKenzie, G Mitchell, WP Strauss, C Atkinson; I Humphreys, R Spee; J Carey, N Hanna, D Fitzpatrick, L McGowan, L Stevenson, D Barbour, C McCarey, S Lamb.

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY: S Mitchell; B Canavan, B Kinsella, B Hastings, F Keane; D Crotty, P McCormack; N Conlon, M Crockett, E McBennett, M Garvey, M Warburton, E Molloy, H Hogan, T Jago.