Women’s South Island League: Royals Cruise, Top Clash Looms

It was business as usual for the Dunedin City Royals in the Women’s South Island League as they secured a dominant 8–0 victory over Nelson Suburbs at Logan Park on Saturday.

Amy Hislop was the standout performer, netting a brace inside the first 16 minutes and completing her hat-trick in the second half to take her season tally to eight, leading the Golden Boot race. Raegan Potter added two more to make it six goals for her season, while Hannah Mackay-Wright, Toni Power, and substitute Georgia Kennedy completed the rout.

Roslyn-Wakari climbed the table with a gritty 2–1 away win over NW United in Kaiapoi. Zara Pratley opened the scoring in the 15th minute before the hosts equalised ten minutes before halftime. However, Catriona Galvin's 56th-minute strike sealed the victory, moving Roslyn-Wakari to 10 points and into fourth place.

In Sunday’s fixture, Otago University preserved their perfect record in a hard-fought 3–2 win over Universities of Canterbury at Logan Park. UC stunned the hosts with a fourth-minute counterattack goal, but Isra Khan equalised deep into first-half stoppage time and then put Otago ahead two minutes into the second half. Leila Hausia-Haugen extended the lead with a 71st-minute penalty. UC battled back and made it 3–2 with four minutes remaining, forcing Otago to hold firm in the closing moments.

With both the Royals and Otago University unbeaten and level on points, next weekend’s top-of-the-table clash promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Men’s South Island League: Royals Frustrated, Nelson Leapfrogs

Dunedin City Royals missed a golden opportunity to climb the table after suffering a narrow 1–0 loss to Universities of Canterbury in Christchurch. A turnover in midfield in the 11th minute led to a swift counterattack, finished clinically by Pero Forman. The Royals thought they had equalised late on, only for the goal to be disallowed for an earlier infringement. Despite a lengthy period of stoppage time, they couldn’t break down UC’s disciplined defence and remain on 10 points in a tight league.

Wānaka came agonisingly close to a hard-earned draw in Nelson, thanks largely to an outstanding display by goalkeeper Josh Shackleton. Lennon Whewell put Nelson ahead in the 29th minute, but Ed Belingher levelled for Wānaka on the hour. However, Whewell had the final say, scoring a brilliant solo goal in stoppage time to seal a 2–1 win and lift Nelson to 13 points and third place.

Men’s Southern Premiership: Roslyn Rally, Northern Run Riot

Otago University were eyeing a fifth straight win in the Southern Premiership and appeared to be on course after going 2–0 up within 23 minutes against Roslyn-Wakari at Ellis Park. Blake Allison opened the scoring, and former Roslyn player Simba Muwunganirwa doubled the lead shortly after.

However, the visitors regrouped after halftime and launched a spirited comeback. Hamish Mair pulled one back on 58 minutes, and Jack McFarlane calmly netted the equaliser. McFarlane then turned provider, curling in a free kick that substitute Ben Williams-Davies converted for a dramatic 88th-minute winner to complete a 3–2 turnaround.

League leaders Northern took full advantage of Otago’s slip, demolishing Old Boys 8–1 in Invercargill. Nicholas Brett stole the spotlight with a first-half hat-trick, while Rory Hibbert also bagged three, and Toby Orchiston added a brace. William Fleming scored the sole consolation for Old Boys.

Elsewhere, Queens Park and Dunedin City Royals shared the spoils in a 2–2 draw. Charlie Fawcett gave the Royals the lead with a spectacular long-range strike after a flowing 13-pass move. Queens Park responded in the second half through Rodrigo Schmidt De Camargo and a header from Anton Fitzgerald, but George Barker equalised from the penalty spot in the 77th minute to secure a point for the visitors.

At Sunnyvale, Mosgiel emerged victorious in the “Battle of the Saddle” with a 2–1 win over Green Island. Finley Kruger gave the hosts the lead early in the second half, only for Luke Clissold to volley home a quick equaliser. Patrick Koppert’s 65th-minute header from a corner sealed all three points for the Plainsmen.

Article added: Monday 19 May 2025