Maties got the defence of their Varsity Hockey title off to the perfect start when they overcame a plucky Wits side on Day One of the opening round in Potchefstroom.

The match remained scoreless at half-time but Maties showed plenty of character to score in both the third and fourth chukkas to claim the hard-fought match.

In the first match of the day, NMMU managed to score either side of UCT to bag a 2-1 victory while UP-Tuks survived a late UJ comeback to cling onto a narrow 4-3 scoreline, after leading 4-1 at the end of the third chukka.

UFS-Kovsies were the other winners of the day when they fought back from a goal down to clinch an exciting 2-1 victory over NWU-Pukke, in front of an electric crowd.

NMMU 2-1 UCT

There was nothing to choose between the two teams, who finished sixth and seventh in the last edition in 2013, with both unable to find the back of the net during the first chukka.

Both sides were unable to take advantage of the powerplay in the opening five minutes of the second chukka but it would be NMMU who break the deadlock in the seventh minute when they bagged a field goal to take a 1-0 lead. The score remained the same until the half-time break.

It was all square in the opening few minutes of the third chukka when UCT got a goal back. However, their joy was short-lived as NMMU regained the lead after finding the back of the net for a second time before the end of the quarter.

There was a second powerplay at the start of the fourth chukka, but again no one managed to score during that period. NMMU managed to hold onto their slender lead to get their campaign off to a winning start.

Mugg & Bean Star Player of the Match: Tayla Karstens (UCT)
Jet Striker of the Match: Tristen Schroder (NMMU)
FNB Player of the Match: Nicole Kemp (NMMU)

UP-Tuks 4-3 UJ

UP-Tuks got off to a fantastic start when they took an early lead before scoring a second goal just before the end of the first chukka to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Both teams could not take advantage of the first powerplay at the start of the second chukka, however, UJ managed to open their account soon after to reduce the deficit to 2-1 at half-time with a goal of their own.

The third chukka saw UP-Tuks regain their scoring form when they scored a third and then a fourth – a spectacular drag flick – to take a for 4-1 lead. UJ got a chance to get back into the game with a penalty stroke, but were denied by a great save from the Tuks keeper.

UJ eventually got a goal back in the fourth chukka and were soon back in the game when they got their third to reduce the margin to just one going into the final minutes. Time ran out in the end for the Johannesburg side as UP-Tuks hung on to claim the Gauteng bragging rights.

Mugg & Bean Star Player: Phumelela Mbande (UP-Tuks)
Jet Striker of the Match: Ashleigh-Jean Datnow (UJ)
FNB Player of the Match: Anel Luus (UP-Tuks)

Maties 3-0 Wits

The third match of the day got off to a very tentative start by both sides as both sides attempted to gain the ascendency in the match. Wits managed to hold their own against the defending champions as the match remained goalless at the end of the first chukka.

Much to the surprise of everyone, it was much of the same in the second chukka as neither side was able to unlock the defence of their opponents.

Wits continued to frustrate their opponents in the opening minutes of the third chukka but succumbed to the pressure when Bronwyn Kretzman handed Maties the lead when she rounded off a well-executed team effort. The defending champions kept their noses ahead as the third chukka came to an end.

Maties kept their noses in front for most of the final chukka and eventually found the back of the net for the second time in the match with two minutes remaining. The Maroon Machine continued to attack and found a third goal in the final minute of the match to claim a tough win in the end.

Mugg & Bean Star Player: Zimisile Shange (WITS)
Jet Striker of the Match: Bronwyn Kretzman (Maties)
FNB Player of the Match: Bronwyn Kretzman (Maties)

NWU-Pukke 1-2 UFS-Kovsies

Both sides came out firing in the opening chukka as they went all out to asserting themselves on each other. The intensity of the encounter remained high throughout the opening 15 minutes as the sides remained deadlock at the first break.

Neither side could capitalise on the power play at the start of the second chukka, however, some ill-discipline crept to the match as both sides were awarded green cards to be down to 10 players for two minutes. The home crowd were sent into ecstasy moments later when Celia Evans broke the deadlock to take a slender 1-0 at the half-time interval.

The home side was reduced to 10 players for two minutes in the opening portion of the final chukka but Kovsies failed to make the most of their extra player. However, they would find their reward as the chukka came to an end when Tanya Britz brought the Bloem ladies back on level terms.

The intensity of the match remained high as the girls went all out for the winning goal. Pukke were throwing everything they had at Kovsies with six minutes remaining in the match but the Bloem ladies managed to keep the home side at bay. Kovsies turned defence into attack and Izelle Lategan scored – what ultimately proved to be – a match-winning goal with three minutes remaining in the match.

Mugg & Bean Star Player: Beatrix Westdyk (UFS-Kovsies)
Jet Striker of the Match: Tanya Britz (UFS-Kovsies)
FNB Player of the Match: Celia Evans (NWU-Pukke)