Fullback Jordon Katene took advantage of some lazy defence to stroll over under the posts and second rower Haylin Rogers was on hand to add the extras.
Waikato came back strong, scoring two tries within six minutes of each other.
Piling on the pressure, they forced mistakes which gave five-eight Nick Read an opening, which he took full advantage. Fullback Aaron Jolley added the conversion.
Waikato used the same formula again: heaping pressure on and forcing mistakes - to give themselves another try through hooker Troy Waters.
Big hits were the norm as Waikato held their 10-6 lead into the half-time break.
Both teams went hammer and tongs in the first 28 minutes of the second half, neither side willing to budge.
Tensions were looking likely to boil over and any both sides were unable to take advantage of their opportunities close to the opposition line.
Then the 12 minute burst happened.
A simple error from the Swords gifted Waikato great field possession, and Waters made them pay with his second try.
Three minutes later, they were back at it again. This time Waikato found prop Eru Keepa ranging out wide and he bulldozed his way over to score.
Second rower Zane Milliken put the icing on the cake for the away side when he ghosted through to score out wide, giving Waikato the 24-6 win.
Standouts for the Swords were halfback Brodee Palmer, prop Logan Pocklington and hooker Wilson Hona.
