Maties have qualified for their first ever Varsity Netball final after they beat UP-Tuks 55-50 in Pretoria on Monday.

Maties outscored their more fancied opponents in each quarter to record a famous win and gain revenge for their second round defeat at the hands of Tuks – the first time they have beaten the Pretoria ladies since the tournament’s inception.

The match got off to a very physical start as both sides looked to establish themselves and it reflected in the score as they remained tied at 3-all after the opening five minutes.

Maties were playing at a very high intensity and it paid off for them as they took a slender 9-6 lead with five minutes remaining in the quarter. The visitors continued to throw the ball around and had a six-point lead at one stage but Tuks rallied in the final minute to trail 11-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Tuks began to find their groove and came close to levelling matters early in the second quarter but Maties were not going to allow that and held and 18-16 lead after five minutes.

Tuks were beginning to play with freedom and confidence to outscore their opponents 4-3 and reduce the deficit to a solitary point with five minutes remaining in the quarter. Maties were back to their best in the final five minutes of the half and turned on the style to score five points while not conceding any, to head into the half-time break with a 25-21 lead.

In the last quarter Maties masterfully made use of the “power play” rule and they clinched the game long before the final whistle.