Richmond Pioneers played their first home game of the season at Blundell School, entertaining New West Regals. In a keenly fought battle between these two arch rivals, the Regals sneaked a 3-2 victory courtesy of a late penalty decision.

Played in wet, blustery conditions, the game had an edge to it right from the start. Despite the fact the Pioneers had most of the early possession, New West opened the scoring on a well taken goal, after capitalizing on some defensive hesitancy from the Pioneers.

The Pioneers equalized when Evgeni Kushnir got a touch to a Ken Johnston cross. However, the Regals restored their lead when Pioneer keeper Gary Byrne blocked a cross from the right wing, unfortunately pushing the ball right into the path of Regals forward Kevin Morris, who was unmarked and scored to make it 2-1.

In the second half, the Regals central defenders remained steady, doing a good job of containing the Pioneers forwards. But they were undone by a wonderful pass from John Murphy who sent Danny Lazar through on goal, the Pioneer forward finishing stylishly, curling the ball beyond the reach of the Regals' keeper.

At 2-2, the game was there for either team to win, and the intensity of the encounter was tangible.

Late in the game, referee Jimmy Sommerville made a rare, for him, penalty call when the Pioneers' Cees Van Staal was adjudged to have pushed a Regals player in the penalty area. Although the penalty kick was far from convincing, it was enough to beat Pioneers goalkeeper Dave Valitis, and the Regals had a 3-2 lead.

With the clock running down, the Pioneers pushed frantically for the equalizer, and Evgeni Kushnir looked like he had grabbed the tying goal, only for his shot to cannon back off the crossbar, to the great relief of the visitors.

It was the first loss in eight league games for the Pioneers, going back to February 3rd.