The Taieri Tuataras clinched a 4-3 victory over KETOB A in a close fought men's premier game on Saturday.
After four straight losses, KETOB was hungry for a win, but Taieri did enough to keep its opponent out of reach.
Early in the first half, it was clear this was going to be a tight game. Taieri put the pressure on straight out of the gate and had the numbers in its circle. James Savage put Taieri on the scoreboard after he flicked the ball past the goalie into the upper corner of the net.
The Tuataras followed this up by successfully defending against a penalty corner and taking the ball to their side, where Dylan Thomas scored to increase the lead.
After the break, a fired up KETOB side pushed back against Taieri and tied the game up with a converted penalty corner and another goal from Manu Henderson.
KETOB struggled with its next penalty corner but managed to get control of the ball and Charles Darling scored.
Taieri was then down two players, after Bryce Watson and Jordan Ward were given green cards, but that was not enough to hold the side back, as Andrew Beverland scored an equaliser.
Just as it looked like the game would end in a draw, Taieri's Reuben Kepes fought through a circle packed with nearly every KETOB player to score the winning goal.
In other men's premier game, Kings United A beat the University Black Panthers 3-2. The game between the Albany Alligators and the University Blue Whales was deferred.
The feature women's premier game, between City and Momona, was also deferred, due to players being on under 21 representative duty.
By James Hall.
