With a 1-0 win over Maties in the Varsity Cup semifinal on Monday night, the Tuks varsity hockey team made sure they went through to the final of this competition.

The final takes place next Monday, when Tuks will play UJ.

It was heartbreaking for the hordes of Maties fans, but a semi-final is a different animal.

This was proven when the varsity hockey semi-final went the way of UP-Tuks in a nail-biting match with the hosts at Maties Astro on Monday night.

The lone goal of this high-class clash was described by a hockey fan as “awesome in its intensity”. It was scored by the man who seems to bring something special for the big occasion, Tuks striker Stephen Cant.

The decisive strike came three minutes from half-time, Cant conjuring up his unique brand of magic to breach the goal line.

Apart from this hugely talented forward, Tuks’ hero was under rated goalkeeper Estiaan Kriek, whose contribution was immense, exemplifying the contention that your shot-stopper is key to keeping a team that is under the cosh in the game.

Another factor in Tuks’ success was their ability to maintain structure and composure through the three lines of defence, mid-field and forwards.

In their defensive makeup Tuks were simply brilliant and the contribution of the tower of strength that is Kewan Harries cannot be emphasised enough.

To be fair, the superb defending from Tuks kept the competition’s form team, Maties, at bay and, on another night and perhaps against the same Tuks team the Stellenbosch lads might have scored in customary fashion.

After all, Maties destroyed Tuks with a score of 6-1 just three days before in the league phase game.

When Tuks keeper Kriek saved from the penalty spot at a critical point in the game you kind of knew it just wasn’t Maties’ night.