Kings United have shown this won’t be a one-horse race to the title, holding the Taieri Tuataras to a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon.
Kings started the better, and were eventually rewarded as Judd Adamson volleyed home from close range to put his side into a deserved lead at the start of the second quarter.
That lead was short-lived though, as a slick Taieri counter forced Kings keeper Lachlan Colquhoun to concede a stroke — which was dispatched by James Nicolson.
It was expected that Taieri would kick on from there, but that was not the case, as Kings remained in command, having a Nic Finlayson goal disallowed shortly before the break — a goal which was probably warranted on the balance of play.
Taieri had their moments, but it was Kings who simply were playing the better hockey.
That showed on the scoreboard at the start of the fourth quarter, as Adamson bagged his second, rifling one in from the spot to put his side in front, with a shield win firmly in their sights.
The Tuataras are unbeaten for a reason though, as they managed to lift, forcing a second stroke, which Nicolson again tucked away with just under six minutes to play.
Kings withdrew their keeper in a desperate effort to win the shield, but it wasn’t to be, as it ended 2-2.
To rub salt into the wound, Taieri won the shootout which followed 3-1 on the day they locked up the points trophy.
With the experience of James Nation, Charles Darling and Finlayson through their spine, you would expect this won’t be the last time Kings give Taieri a scare this season.
In the day’s other big game, the University Whales crashed the Albany centenary party, with a 3-1 win over the Alligators. Despite Albany keeper Ben Sinnamon making several blinding saves, the Whales were simply slicker, as Benji Culhane ran the show, rifling in the third on his reverse with trademark quality.
It was also a day of celebration for the Southland Barbarians, who picked up a rare win, downing the University Panthers 3-0.
Over on the Far Turf, there were three comfortable wins in the premier women’s competition for the top three sides.
First up, the City Highlanders breezed past the University Huskies, a Chloe Donaldson goal helping them to an easy 3-0 win.
Momona were also 3-0 winners, playing the Taieri Tigers off the park, who are now desperately hanging on in the race to make the top four. Jessica Workman, Ruby Pedersen and Sarah Johnstone were the goal-scorers in that one.
Finally, Kings United secured a first prem women’s final birth, after hammering the University Stingrays 6-0. The Stingrays simply weren’t at the levels they had hit against the City Highlanders last week, and were punished for it. Madi Lobb fired in a hat-trick, keeping her hot streak going.
By Nicholas Friedlander
