Caversham collected its 12th FootballSouth Premier League title in 14 seasons when it edged past Roslyn-Wakari 2-1 at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Caversham coach Tim Horner was understandably elated with the victory that sealed the championship in a season when the club was unsure if it would even field a team after a debt crisis.
''It's been a very rewarding season for myself and team management,'' Horner said.
''The first and second teams have trained together all season, and there's intense competition to get a first team spot.
"Winning the Premier League and Fletcher Cup has been a great reward for the effort put in for the whole season.''
Caversham made a fast start to the match, pressing the host side into some hasty clearances in the first 20 minutes.
Playing most of the game in Roslyn's half paid dividends in the 21st minute, when Caversham striker Tore Waechter gained possession of a loose ball with an excellent first touch that provided instant control and set himself for a long-distance strike.
Waechter's execution was perfect and he lashed a strong shot from 25m into the Roslyn goal that left keeper Mike Rae with no chance.
While Roslyn was certainly in the match, Caversham keeper Liam Little wasn't extended, keeping his goal intact during a fast-paced first half.
Caversham doubled its lead in the 48th minute, when Seamus Ryder hit a surprise near-post corner.
Ryder's accurate kick was expertly flicked backwards by Sam Collier and the reverse angle pass was well read by Michael Hogan, who drove home a low shot from the penalty spot.
Roslyn dug deep in the last half hour to turn the screws on Caversham and earn several corners.
With just five minutes to go, Tyrrell Barringer-Tahiri gave the Ellis Park faithful something to cheer when he finished with composure after an attacking run down the left flank.
Dunedin Technical sealed second place in the league with a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Green Island at Tahuna Park.
Green Island opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a length-of-the-field counterattack, and Matt Mitchell nodding the ball home from 6m.
A good strike on the turn from Alistair Rickerby had Technical level in the 34th minute, and Taylor McCormack copied his striking team-mate with a similar finish just three minutes later.
McCormack got his second in the 60th minute, and Jack Kirkwood got a late goal just minutes before fulltime for Green Island.
University beat Mosgiel 3-0 at Memorial Park, Peter Rae lacing up his shooting boots and coming away with a hat trick of goals for the students.
It will be back to the drawing board for Northern next season, after its 6-1 away loss to Queenstown Rovers.
Northern has conceded 75 goals in 21 games.
- Wilson James
