Maties claimed the Varsity Hockey title when a late goal handed them a dramatic 1-0 victory over NWU-Pukke in Pretoria.
It was Pukke’s only defeat of the tournament, and Maties were forced to work hard to take the first Varsity Hockey title.
Pukke got on the front foot early on and pushed Maties back into their own half from the wrod go, with Sulette Damons using her pace to good effect
Maties absorbed the pressure well and manufactured a few opportunities of their own, with Quinita Bobbs and Farah Fredericks forcing the Pukke defenders to work hard.
Both teams were playing the game at a frantic pace as they searched for the early ascendancy, but there was no way through for either side as they went into the first break deadlocked at 0-0.
Maties’ Ilse Davids was shown a green card after a heavy tackle, which presented Pukke with a great chance to strike, and Damons came close but pushed her reverse stick effort wide.
Pukke’s Schani Moore was shown a yellow card after clattering into a Maties player, handing the Stellenbosch side a golden opportunity to capitalise.
However it was not to be and the second period finished goalless to set up a tense final chukka.
With the title on the line both teams gave it absolutely everything as they searched for the crucial goal.
There were chances at both ends of the pitch as the team looked to strike the killer blow, and it was Maties’ Bronwyn Kretzmann who got the vital final touch as her team took a late 1-0 lead.
Pukke tried desperately to hit back, but despite substituting their goalkeeper they could not produce the goods and Maties took the title.
The scorers:
For Maties: Bronwyn Kretzmann
