Netball: Southern to meet Phys Ed in final

The Southern Magpies and Phys Ed A will contest the Dunedin premier competition final next weekend.

Both had contrasting semifinal wins on Saturday to earn a place in the final.

Phys Ed A beat College A 63-50 in the first semifinal, and Southern pipped University Albion A 58-57 in the other.

After a goal for goal opening, College made the first mistake and Phys Ed took its opportunities to push out to a 12-6 lead.

For College, it was a replay of last week when it trailed early and was unable to stay with Phys Ed.

Phys Ed out scored College 18-11 in the second quarter and had a commanding 32-21 lead at halftime.

College made a couple of runs throughout the second half but it was never enough.

Phys Ed coach Alice Conrad was proud of her team's consistency.

''It was a total team effort. Everyone did their core jobs and just worked off each other,'' Conrad said.

''Apart from that last quarter, I felt we were really consistent, which we will need to build on next week.''

The other game was a thriller as Southern and University Albion A scrapped for the other final spot, neither giving an inch over 60 minutes.

Southern held a six goal lead after the first break before University Albion made a fantastic start to the second quarter, scoring six unanswered goals on the back of smothering defensive pressure.

The Magpies led by two at halftime and that lead blew out to seven after a drop in concentration by University Albion.

However, University Albion was not done, and its comeback led to a heart stopping finish to the game.

University Albion had a couple of very late chances to send the game into overtime but could not find the goal it needed.

Southern captain Tessa Bekkers said it was an intense final minute.

''I am proud of the girls for hanging on in the crucial stages when it counted,'' Bekkers said.

In the other game, Southern Tui was left with the wooden spoon after a 51-44 loss to University Albion B.

By Jamie Keay. 

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