Other big hitters were Mosgiel and Dunedin Technical, with 3-0 wins over Green Island and Queenstown respectively. However, for drama and edge-of-the-seat stuff, the Caledonian ground was the place to be.
University was ahead of Roslyn-Wakari at the break, 1-0, after goalkeeper Mike Rae transgressed. Referee Edward Cook pointed to the penalty spot, and striker Peter Rae made no mistake.
University coach Luiz Uehara was pleased with his side's first half and rated the 1-0 lead as a fair indication of play.
Certainly, Peter Overmire organised a no-nonsense defence, Mike Nelson and Henry Flood competed well in midfield and there was pace and purpose from Rae and Jeremy Fong.
However, Roslyn was transformed in the second half. Getting the lion's share of possession and with new signing Jacob Schneider eager for work, coach Colin Thom's side built sustained pressure.
An indication of how the game had swung was the fact that Roslyn keeper Rae had to make only one save in the second spell.
But ball possession does not equal goals and even with searing runs by Schneider and Tom Connor, plus solid shifts by Aajay Cunningham, Mike Sannum and Geordie Mansford, the white shirts lacked penetration.
Despite some near misses, and several good saves by Varsity keeper Jeff Potrich, it seemed Roslyn had run out of time.
Right at the end, Roslyn cranked up desperate pressure in the University goalmouth, and an astonishing sequence of events had both sets of grandstand spectators on their feet.
Roslyn's James Watson challenged keeper Potrich, the tall Brazilian keeper took umbrage and bounced up flailing, then everyone got involved.
Referee Cook and his assistant soon calmed things down, and after some deliberation, the referee sent both Watson and Potrich from the field, although clearly each of them thought he was innocent.
Varsity's Noah Woliner put on the goalkeeping gloves, little knowing he would soon take centre stage.
After more scrappy play in the Varsity goalmouth, an astounded Woliner was judged by referee Cook to have held on to the ball for longer than the maximum six seconds allowed and an indirect free kick was awarded to Roslyn in the University penalty area.
With more than 20 players in the crowded penalty area, these indirect free kicks are usually charged down and hacked clear, but among the flailing boots, Roslyn's Connor made firm contact to score and tied the epic contest.
Varsity coach Uehara was sure his side deserved to win, and was amazed the ''six-second'' rule had been applied, especially to a replacement keeper.
Roslyn's coach Thom thought his side's second-half performance deserved a win, but accepted the draw, ''especially since we had five youngsters making their debut in the match.''
Mosgiel took the derby honours at Sunnyvale where new coach Andrew Brook's team registered a solid win over its rural rival Green Island.
There was some concern over what looked like a serious injury to Regan Coldicott, but a Tim Dunn header, a second goal by James McGarry and a penalty converted by Aaron Corkill wrapped up the victory.
Another new coach, Jamie Whitmarsh, headed back to Queenstown licking wounds after a loss to a Dunedin Technical side which started less than positively, but settled after a 32nd-minute goal by new Scottish import Tom McBride.
He added a second and then Richard Smith scored as Technical went on to dominate.
But it was Caversham that sent warning bells clanging around other FPL rivals as coaches Tim Horner and Richard Murray got their side into top gear from the starting whistle and kept their feet on the accelerator with that intimidating seven-goal barrage against Northern.
