It was a case of second-time lucky for TUT as they brushed UP-Tuks aside in a fairly one sided match to claim their first Varsity Football title.

The Pretoria ladies ran riot in the second half to claim a comfortable and convincing 5-0 victory after going into the halftime break with a slender 1-0 lead.

TUT started the better of the teams and opened the score in the third minute through the boot of Mary Ntsweng following great work by Kgomotso Mashilwane down the right flank.

TUT remained in control of the early stages by maintaining possession and dominating the midfield battle as Tuks were left to play off scraps.

Bontle Mashilo nearly doubled TUT’s lead in the 18th minute when she attempted a cheeky chip over Tuks’ goalkeeper Cailin Whyte but the midfielder failed to hit the target.

Kgomotso Mashilwane got in on the cheeky action in front of goal when she attempted an audacious back-heel which went agonisingly wide in the 25th minute.

Following a water break, Tuks came out rejuvenated and started pushing forward as they were able to get more possession but attempts at goal were few and far between.

Tuks were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box in the 38th minute but Jade Meissner Raposo was unable to keep her shot down as both sides watched the ball sail over the crossbar.

TUT managed to regain much of the possession as the half came to an end and created more chances to increase their lead but their finishing let them down as the they kept their slender 1-0 at halftime.

The second half started the same as the first half with TUT dominating possession and creating numerous chances but, once again, their final touch let them down.

Tuks started to settle as the half progressed but they were unable to create clear chances to trouble Thabile Malambe in the TUT goal.

Ntsweng grabbed a brace in 62nd minute when she latched onto a long pass and had a one-on-one with Whyte. The striker held her nerve and rounded the keeper before slotting the ball into the roof of the open net.

Palesa Mohlabai made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute when she pounced on a back-pass and sprinted 25 metres before placing the ball into the bottom left of the net.

Mohlabai wreaked havoc on the Tuks defence and was brought down in the 18-yard area in 75th minute. Katlego Khwinana stepped up to take the spot kick and made no mistake by easily placing her shot into the back of the net.

TUT kept applying the pressure on the hapless Tuks defence as they went in search of more goals.

Khwinana got her brace, and TUT’s fifth, in the 88th minute when she broke through the Tuks defence and neatly placed the ball beyond the reach of Whyte.

The 5-0 scoreline was enough to hand TUT their first Varsity Football title at the second attempt after losing in last year’s final.

FNB Player of the Match:  Lebogang Rakhuduwe

Samsung Super Striker: Mary Ntsweng

Goalscorers:

For TUT: Ntsweng 2, Mohlabai, Khwinana 2.

TUT: 1 Thabile Malambe, 10 Bontle Chabaesele, 2 Mapule Nlhapho, 3 Koketso Mahlangu, 18 Phathutshedzo Makhado, 7 Lebogang Rakhuduwe, 17 Jienet Mohale, 12 Bontle Mashilo, 11 Koketso Tlailane, 15 Kgomotso Mashilwane, 4 Mary Ntsweng.
Substitutes: 8 Katlego Khwinana, 6 Mopana Lancy, 13 Paballo Lepele, 16 Palesa Mohlabai, 21 Portia Sikhakhane, 9 Tshepiso Tsagane, 19 Nombulelo Ngqobe.

UP-Tuks: 26 Cailin Whyte, 15 Pretty Mosoane, 8 Jabulile Mazibuko, 10 Tshililo Ravuanzwo, 13 Regina Mogolola, 14 Phidah Chego, 11 Mapotlakele Maserumule, 17 Alexandra Michael, 7 Jade Meissner Raposo, 20 Sonia Shako, 5 Molatela Molepo.
Substitutes: 18 Lucia Tsoku, 21 Amerije Pawukumar, 19 Natasha De Almeida, 6 Gloria Thato, 4 Lebogang Mabatle.