Persistent rain left the playing surface slippery and the bitter cold prompted the Caversham reserves to huddle under a woollen blanket.
But, despite the appalling conditions, both sides played some sparkling football and treated a crowd of about 350 to an entertaining match.
Dunedin Technical coach Mike Fridge spent most of the game prowling the sideline with his game face on but broke into a broad smile when asked how he was feeling shortly after the final whistle.
"It was a difficult game between two good teams and a good cup tie," he said.
"But I'm absolutely delighted to be in the next round.
"They were difficult conditions to play in and to play good football, but it adds to the excitement. It is very difficult for defenders because the ball can skid off.
"So it was good for the spectators, but not good for my heart."
Caversham, a Chatham Cup semifinalist for the past two seasons, went into the match without star striker Carson Gorecki and talented goalkeeper Liam Little.
Gorecki has gone back to the United States and Little had to sit the match out at the request of Football New Zealand.
The 21-year-old has been selected in the New Zealand under-23 side which will compete at the Beijing Olympics in August.
Despite the setback, Caversham struck first.
With the match just three minutes old, Otago Boys High School pupil Seamus Ryder broke down the left and fired in a well-directed cross which Tom Jackson headed into the back of the net.
It was a superbly executed move which left Dunedin Tech stunned.
"We were very disappointed with the goal we conceded," Fridge said.
"But I thought the boys showed a lot of good character to come back. We said before the game, let's keep it tight and don't give away any silly goals, especially early on, and three minutes into the game we find ourselves 1-0 down."
Tech crawled its way back into the match, launching a series of raids on the goal.
Sam Jaspar blasted a drive from just beyond the penalty area.
The deflection fell dangerously but the defence scrambled it clear.
Moments later, striker John Lang used his speed to get on the end of a long ball, forcing Caversham keeper Dave O'Donovan to leave his line.
Lang dribbled around the despondent goalie but was pushed too wide to get a good shot and the move was snuffed out.
Veteran midfielder Andy Coburn converted his side's pressure into its opening goal in the 33rd minute when he tapped in a cross past O'Donovan, who was caught flat-footed on the goal line.
Just before half-time, Tech added a second.
Mike Cunningham lobbed a ball forward to Aaron Burgess and the in-form striker steered a header into the right corner.
Caversham pushed forward in search of an equaliser and dominated territory.
But some slick passing and patient build-up saw Tech take a two-goal lead.
Hayden Gunn provided the cross and Richard Smith the finishing touch with a sharp flick past the goalie.
Caversham kept attacking and busy midfielder Croydon Wheeler got some just reward for a strong match when he found enough space in a congested penalty area to nod the ball in with six minutes remaining.
Tech held on to win the Peacock Trophy, presented to the Dunedin team which gets furthest in the Chatham Cup.
Blair Scoullar marshalled the defence well and Coburn worked hard in the midfield.
The draw for the remaining cup matches will be made today.
"It doesn't matter who we play. I'm sure they won't be looking forward to playing us," Fridge said.
Dunedin Technical 3 (Andy Coburn, Aaron Burgess, Richard Smith), Caversham 2 (Tom Jackson, Croydon Wheeler).
Half-time: Dunedin Technical 2-1.
