Easts were better, and Sydney University knew it - which is why they were able to win a third straight club rugby title despite trailing at half-time and having a man sin-binned at a crucial stage of the Shute Shield final on Saturday.

Their victory was built upon mental toughness and self-belief. "They played for each other," University coach Damien Hill said after the 34-11 win. "They are a tremendous bunch, and what you ask of them, they give 110 per cent for."

Nothing was going right for University as Easts built an 11-0 lead and the Students had flanker David Dennis yellow-carded late in the first half. Had the scoreline stayed that way at half-time, it's doubtful University would have romped home like they did at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Instead, in the crucial periods just before and after the break, University wrested the ascendancy away from the Beasts.

One minute before half-time, Easts hooker Saia Faingaa was sin-binned for a professional foul and moments later, University fullback Daniel Halangahu slipped between two defenders to score in the corner - then landed the conversion from the sideline.

For all of Easts' dominance in the opening stanza, they had only a four-point lead to show. "That really turned the game. It would have been a lot different if we'd been able to keep them out in the first half," Easts captain Tom Egan said.

His counterpart, No.8 Tim Davidson, strolled over for a try five minutes after the resumption and University's steamroller was charging towards a hat-trick of titles.

"Most of us started this back in 2005," said Davidson, who was also captain of the previous two title-winning University teams. "There have been 44 players come through first grade this year for us, so it's a great club. No one can take this away from us."

Sterling individual performances from Halangahu, five-eighth Dan Kelly, lock Will Caldwell and winger Alfred Mafi sparked University's four-try surge in the second half, while breakaway David Haydon was heavily involved and hooker Dan Lewinski was tireless.

"In grand finals, you don't get many scoring opportunities - and when you do, you've got to make the most of it. We had some guys really stand up with some fantastic individual performances," said University lock Al Campbell, who is in the Wallabies' World Cup shadow squad.

A club rugby premiership in Sydney is no World Cup in Paris, but, as he soaked up the winning atmosphere in the dressing room after the game, it appeared Campbell found the experience emotionally rewarding.

"There are a lot of representative players and contracted players and it's about coming away from being a professional footballer and contributing and trying to improve the guy beside you back at club level," he said.

"We all love club rugby - everyone in this room, throughout the grades, we all love it - and for all the contracted guys, it is about friendships."

Halangahu scored two tries and 19 points in a fine display, while Mafi and halfback Nick Haydon also crossed the line.

University closed the gap on Randwick's record of 28 premierships with their 24th crown, while Easts are third on the all-time list with 10.

For the losers, execution - not perspiration - let them down. Easts centre Anthony Faingaa, the twin brother of Saia, said: "It is really disappointing, but nobody can fault the effort of any of the guys. We tried really hard, it just wasn't meant to be our day. Uni played really well. We played really well, too."

Both Faingaa brothers will be handy for the Canberra Vikings in the Australian Rugby Championship and the Brumbies in the Super 14.

To add injury to insult, elusive Easts winger Junior Puroku suffered medial ligament damage to his right arm while stretching out for the first try of the game.

While the University players sang, coach Hill quietly sipped a beer in the corner of the sheds. "Probably the first word that comes to mind is relief … I'm thrilled mate, absolutely thrilled," Hill said.

"We also have to credit our coaches, Anthony Eddy in particular, he was in charge of defence this year … Also [forwards coach] Trevor Woodman has been working on our set piece."

Woodman's decision to gamble on rookie prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa, who made his first-grade debut in the final, paid off, with University's scrum holding firm. "This is an unbelievable feeling," said Yanuyanutawa. "I just want to praise the Lord, and thank Uni for the opportunity."

University lost their first match of the year to Norths. They did not lose again.