With the semifinals already having been decided, both sides knew they would be facing each other the following week to earn a place in the final.
College A was without captain Olivia Bates, who is recovering from a illness. That gave Kate Holden and Jamie Hume a chance to work on their shooting combination.
It was a goal for goal start before Phys Ed found its rhythm early and treated the large crowd that had gathered to some slick netball to lead 14-11 at the first break.
College defenders Jessica Van Rossum, Renaye Flockton and Dani Gray stepped up in the second quarter and started to pick off cross court passes.
However, College was unable to finish off the turnovers when it counted and went into halftime trailing 25-19.
Phys Ed took the opportunity to make changes in the third quarter, bringing on Erin Hughes for Jo Morrison and Georgina Hunia for Kate Gilchrist to give the bench time on court in preparation for the semifinals.
The changes took a while to click for Phys Ed as College started to gain its flow on attack and the shooters started to find their range, closing the gap to two at the end of the third quarter.
The scores were tied with eight minutes remaining and neither side was giving an inch as the physicality and intensity stepped up.
Phys Ed remained composed, grabbing the the lead in the final minutes and holding on to it until the final whistle.
College A coach Lauren Piebenga was pleased her side never gave up.
''We took a while to get confidence in our combinations but we were in the hunt for the whole game,'' Piebenga said.
''It just came down to crucial plays at crucial times and that is something we will look at during the week.''
Phys Ed A captain Sophie Johns said the opportunity to play the bench was crucial looking ahead to next week.
''Really good to get all our players out there, especially since we will be without Jo [Morrison] if we make the grand final, so we need to practise our combinations.''
University Albion B beat Southern Tui 56-52, and the Southern Magpies beat University Albion A 56-48.
By Jaimie Keay.
