Dunedin Technical claimed its first Footballsouth Premier League championship since 1999 with an emphatic 7-2 win over the Spirit at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday.
Coach Mike Fridge was overjoyed with claiming the title after such a long time.
"It's a great day for the Technical club. Mind you, there's been a few years of hard work getting here," Fridge said.
"We've maintained good standards in the league over the last few seasons and have focused on developing young Dunedin players along the way."
Despite losing player-coach Barry Gardiner through injury within the first 10 minutes, the Spirit played with gritty determination for the first hour of the contest, before Technical showed its class and finishing prowess in the final third of the match.
The Spirit decided to ignore the script when Josh Frewen found himself with time and space inside the penalty area to receive, turn and half volley the Southland team into a surprise early lead in the 12th minute.
Ten minutes later, Technical had parity when a far-post corner was knocked back across the goal by Liam Lockhart, allowing aerial technician Richard Smith to nod home from close range.
Technical captain Aaron Burgess settled the nerves in the 35th minute when he expertly finished a flick-on from a long throw to give Technical a 2-1 lead going into the halftime break.
A blooper on the hour from Technical keeper Michael Walker added some unexpected drama when he badly miskicked a regulation clearance straight to Spirit striker Steve McDonald, who accepted the gift-wrapped goal to level the scores.
The champion side returned the favour just a minute later when Richard Smith headed home after quality preparation work down the left flank.
Three additional goals within eight minutes had Technical supporters initiating celebrations with Smith's third, Burgess' second and a Tristan Prattley special that may have damaged the goal net.
Brad Rodden wrapped up the scoring, finishing with composure after a good long-distance attacking run.
In other matches, Mosgiel concluded its season with a 1-1 stalemate with Roslyn-Wakari at Ellis Park to stake a claim for runner-up in the league. Michael Still scored for the host side, with Morgan Day converting for Mosgiel.
Caversham claimed a 6-1 win over Northern at Forrester Park in the final game of the round.
The victory included an Ant Hancock hat trick with scoring support from Hamish Chang, Seamus Ryder and Evan Jones.
Caversham defender Simon Ward rammed home an unstoppable headed own goal on behalf of Northern.
• Roslyn-Wakari was thrust out of the national women's knockout cup with a 5-2 loss to Coastal Spirit at Ellis Park yesterday.
Una Madden scored two first-half goals for Roslyn, but Laura Merrin grabbed a brace for Coastal Spirit and Monique Barker added a third for a 3-2 lead at halftime.
Serena Patel then added two goals in the second half for the Christchurch club.
- Wilson James
