Taieri made City Highlanders A work hard for its 2 0 win in the premier women's competition on Saturday.
The first goal was a classic field goal with the ball moved around in a triangle, drawing the Taieri goalie out and passing off to Neelum Patel, who popped the ball in to put City Highlanders on the scoreboard.
From the next period of play, it looked as if it would be a walkover as City had the dominance and majority of the possession, and spent much time in the attacking circle, but somehow Taieri defenders managed to regularly get the ball out and take the pressure off.
The score remained just 1-0 at halftime, giving the underdog Taieri side hope of a win or a draw.
The second goal was unfortunate. There was some confusion among the Taieri defenders, who thought the shot was from outside the circle and let it go, but it was ruled by the umpires to be a fair goal.
Fired up, Taieri went on the attack to retaliate. Sophie Allison and Holly Lang moved the ball up and into the circle but could not get a shot on goal and City Highlanders' superior stick work helped it win most tackles in the midfield.
Taieri goalie Amanda Burleigh saved three shots in a row - including one with her hand - which kept Taieri in the game and there was no further scoring.
Pip Dingle and Georgie Crum played well in the centre for City Highlanders, while all the Taieri defenders played well.
The other premier 1 game, between Momona A and University A, ended 1-1, followed by a shootout which went to sudden death. Momona A won the shootout 3-2.
In premier 2, St Hilda's beat City Highlanders B 5-1 and University B beat West Taieri A 2-1 in sleety conditions in the evening.
By Shirley Gillett.
