Kings A beat University B 5-4 in round 13 of premier men's hockey on Saturday.
University was backing up from a heavy defeat, 10-2, the previous night against Albany A, which left the students needing a win to maintain contact with the leaders at the top of the table.
The game boiled down to a straight shootout between the strikers, Chris Ashton (University) and Josh Rapana (Kings).
The game got off to a flying start with both teams having attacking chances before sloppy marking left Rapana with all the space he needed to get Kings on the board.
University was a constant menace through the midfield, repeatedly making it all the way into the Kings defensive circle.
Rapana went from hero to zero with a yellow card for pushing University players off the ball.
Ashton then got his side on the card with a characteristic blast into the top corner after a volley of shots had been blocked by the defence.
University then drew level through a brilliant reverse-stick shot to Peter Trebilcock, who managed to thread the ball through three defenders and past goalkeeper Paul GaugerThe game exploded into life in the second half as Todd Gould got Kings on the board early.
University's game began to break down as its discipline wavered, and then crumbled when playmaker Damian Watson received a red card for showing dissent to the umpire.
University scored another two goals, the second coming from an Ashton drag-flick, before Kings responded with quickfire goals to Rapana and Josh Quinn.
In the final game of the weekend, Albany A beat City Highlanders 2-0.
In women's club hockey, Taieri and University A drew 1-1 in a hard-fought encounter.
Taieri got off to a strong start with an early field goal by Emily Ballinger and continued to dominate, occupying its attacking half with fullbacks playing high.
University was looking sluggish but even though Taieri was ahead, its passing was astray.
In fact, Taieri missed a great opportunity when a ball was crossed to the front of the goal and there was a mistrap.
Against the run of play, a moment of brilliance by the students weaving the ball into the circle was finished off by Jamie Wiles to even the score.
The pressure was on and the game improved.
A University player enthusiastically struck a high ball and was yellow-carded, but despite some stick-to-stick long balls through by Vicky Clark-Joyce and penalty corners, Taieri could not finish off.
With five minutes to go, it seemed the team that could get to the 50-50 ball first to turn defence into attack would win.
Taieri nearly scored, Varsity was yellow-carded for a second time then won a stroke which was the ideal chance to equalise but it was poorly taken and the game remained drawn.
In the other game, Momona B beat City Highlanders 3-2, with Nicole Curtis scoring all three goals for Momona B.
