King's United came from two goals down twice in a tense match to finish the regular season of the premier men's competition with a 3-3 draw on Saturday.
Going into this weekend, the top-four positions had already been decided but there was still momentum to play for.
Taieri came out firing, scoring through Jordan Ward in the fifth minute after a penalty corner took a deflection off a defender's foot into the net.
Three minutes later, Ward was again involved as an overhead pass up the middle of the field reached the attacking circle. A lucky bounce and then a mid-air deflection past the keeper meant the lead doubled through Matt West.
King's appeared rattled but regained composure and, later in the first half, pegged a goal back, thanks to some smart interplay and a good finish by Campbell Paton.
After halftime, Taieri again came out firing and looked to put the game away as West completed his brace after a loose ball appeared in the attacking circle.
However, momentum swung after a 10-minute yellow card was pulled on Taieri.
King's piled on the pressure and broke through twice, through Paton and Connor Anderson, to take it back to 3-3.
Despite nine minutes remaining after the punishment ran out, no more goals were scored.
In other matches, University A punished University B 11-0 and Albany eased past Southland 6-0.
In next week's semifinals, top qualifier University A plays Taieri, while Kings meets Albany.
University B and Southland will play off for fifth in the remaining game.
-By Matthew West
