Royals women drop first points but still top qualifier

THE Dunedin City Royals have dropped their first points this season but have still claimed the top qualifier spot for the South Island League.

The Royals women, who had been a perfect six from six in the Women’s Southern Premiership and two from two in South Island League qualifying before the weekend, were held to a 22 draw by Queenstown.

The Royals had a 10 halftime lead on the road thanks to Freya PartridgeMoore’s opening goal.

Queenstown responded well in the second half by claiming two goals to cancel out Ruby Anderson’s strike for the Royals.

University will be joining the Royals in the South Island League after a 21 win over RoslynWakari.

Jemma Wilson’s thirdminute strike for Roslyn had her club temporarily sitting in second spot and a place in the South Island League.

However, a secondhalf brace to Morgan Smiley — the winner coming nine minutes from time — allowed University to the claim the second spot.

In the men’s ODT Southern Premiership, Mosgiel claimed three points and retained top spot with a comefrombehind 31 win over Northern.

After quelling the home side’s start, Northern enjoyed a period of dominance, and Rory Hibbert claimed his fourth goal of the season when he opened the scoring in the 28th minute.

Mosgiel equalised when Rhys Quarrell reacted most quickly to the loose ball following a free kick in the 35th minute, and took the lead in the 62nd minute when Taylor Donaldson ran through and gave keeper Luke SchafferSwan no chance.

The Plainsmen wrapped up all the points on 70 minutes when Luke Clissold’s shot was parried by SchafferSwan, and Reese Burtenshaw followed up to score.

RoslynWakari remains unbeaten in second place following a wellearned point when it travelled to Wanaka to secure a 00 draw.

Invercargill’s Queens Park looked to be on track for three points against Green Island when George Edwards opened the scoring with 12 minutes left.

However, Green Island substitute Victor Crafts broke the home side’s resilience with a lastminute equaliser.

Queenstown made the long trip to Northern Hearts in Timaru and fought back when William King’s 67thminute equaliser cancelled out Bailey Chambers’ firsthalf opener.

A Caleb Rollo own goal in the 75th minute gave Queenstown a 21 lead, but prolific Hearts scorer Chambers equalised with a penalty in injury time.