They were undone 4-1 by Cashmere Tech at Tahuna Park yesterday, although the result will have no bearing on the Royals’ placing, having already wrapped up the league title earlier this month.
Sara Mann gave Cashmere a fourth-minute lead, which Rebecca Lake doubled in the 31st minute.
The Royals halved the deficit three minutes before the interval, when Amy Hislop scored from an angled driven shot.
As the second half wore on, they pressed hard for an equaliser, but found the final pass lacking, or were denied by good goal-keeping from Freya Herdman.
Royals keeper Lauren Paterson pulled off a stunning save to deny Cashmere a third goal.
But with the Royals hot on attack, she was helpless when a mis-hit cross deceived her on a counterattack and Jemma Wilson finished.
That was followed by Anya Stephan adding a fourth for Cashmere to pull to within a point of Otago University to finish in third place.
University secured second with a 2-0 away win against Nelson Suburbs.
They created plenty of chances early but lacked the finishing touch until the 42nd minute, when Sofia Zame scored.
Rosie Hayman doubled the lead not long into the second half for a 2-0 win.
— In the men’s Southern League, the Dunedin City Royals continued their recent run of good form with a thrilling 3-3 draw away to Cashmere Tech.
Despite conceding in the first minute, when Charlie Peacocke’s pace took him past the defence and his angled drive had too much pace for keeper Alex Boomer, the Royals had a sustained spell of pressure.
They deservedly equalised when Tom Milton’s 13th-minute free kick took a slight deflection on the edge of the box and took the lead four minutes later when Lewis Wall slipped a pass through to Jack Julian, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and made no mistake.
Cashmere equalised on 31 minutes when Peacocke scored his second goal from close range and Cashmere took the lead in the 55th minute when a cross from the left was not cleared and the ball fell to the feet of Garbhan Coughlan, who slotted home from the edge of the box.
The Royals rescued a point with 10 minutes to go when substitute Fraser Anderson was fouled in the penalty box and Tom Milton made no mistake dispatching the resultant penalty.
The draw has left the door open for Christchurch United to sneak into the last remaining place for the National League. They beat Wānaka 7-0 and have to travel and win away to Nelson next week to secure the spot ahead of Cashmere.
Selwyn have been relegated from the league, following a 5-2 home loss to Nelson.
Ferrymead Bays beat Nomads 2-1 and Coastal Spirit wrapped up the title with a 2-0 victory over UC.
— University spoilt Northern's 100% record in the men’s ODT Southern Premiership in the penultimate round with a 3-3 draw.
Nick Treadwell gave Northern an early lead, but two quick goals to Ashton Hodson and Josh Kotkamp gave the students the lead on 37 minutes.
Kotkamp made it 3-1 early in the second half, before Janic Gorman reduced the deficit with 23 minutes remaining and Rory Hibbert ensured Northern remained unbeaten with a last minute equaliser.
Northern Hearts came from two down to draw 2-2 with Mosgiel, Roslyn Wakari beat Old Boys 3-0 in Invercargill 3-0 on the back of two goals to Nathan Wilkie.
The result means Old Boys will finish the season with the wooden spoon.
The Dunedin City Royals beat Green Island 6-2.
— The women’s Southern Premier League will go down to the last round, as Otago University beat Queens Park 1-0 in Invercargill to draw level with Green Island at the top of the table.
Green Island’s game with the Dunedin City Royals did not take place — meaning all three teams remain a chance of the title, as the Royals are three points back but have a game in hand.
Roslyn Wakari beat Northern 4-1 in the other game.
— Neville Watson
