The clash between Caversham and Dunedin Technical lived up to its top billing in front of a large crowd at Tonga Park on Saturday where cut and thrust eventually produced an exciting 1-1 draw.
An early goal from Liam Lockhart, lurking at the far post, gave Technical a 10th-minute lead, and Caversham replied with a dashing Harley Rodeka equaliser with 18min to go.
Technical dominated the first half against what looked like a lacklustre Caversham, and but for a top performance in goal by Liam Little, coach Mike Fridge's side could have gone three or four goals in front.
Little, who played professionally in Scotland, has recently been up north, but returned this season to bolster Caversham.
He has always been good in the air, but for a tall man, Little ably blocked low shots from top striker Aaron Burgess, and did the same when Justin Flaws seemed certain to score.
In true Pat Jennings style the big keeper stayed composed, and made his decisions as late as possible. He won Caversham's man of the match award.
With massive superiority in possession, Technical should have sealed the match in the first 45min, but as philosophical coach Fridge said, one goal was never enough.
Caversham came out after halftime full of fizz, and none more so than captain Seamus Ryder who covered every blade of grass.
Always a technically excellent player, Ryder stretched his game from box to box and inspired his side.
Still working with less ball possession, Caversham made a series of incisive attacks, with Anton Ross beating his marker, Ant Hancock challenging well in the air, and squirrelling around among the ankles, shielding the ball and looking dangerous.
Yet Technical's vastly improved centreback, Matt Joy, rallied his troops, never put a foot wrong, and released Tristan Prattley to initiate counter attacks.
Some tackles became violent, and in one confrontation between Frenchman Victor da Costa and Scot Craig Ferguson the players were lucky referee Brent Best did not issue a red card.
Technical's man-of-the-match midfielder George Milne combined well with da Costa, and producing more sustained attacks, the visiting side continued to test keeper Little.
But after a quiet match by his standards, it was Rodeka's ability to sniff out a half chance, and pouncing on a loose ball, he kept his head to score his 72nd-min equaliser with an accurate shot on the run.
The result keeps Caversham top of the league on goal difference, while Mosgiel missed its chance to progress higher after Michael Abbott scored, but Green Island equalised through the under-rated Dan Rutter.
Floodgates opened at the Gardens where Roslyn-Wakari ended its goal famine by slamming six goals past Northen, and University notched a 5-0 win over Grants Braes, with goals coming from Anthony Tarrant, Guilherme Melo, Zac Rathbobe, Steven Blackmoore, and Peter Rae.
