Both teams were trying to secure fifth position in the competition as sixth means relegation to Premier B for round one of the 2011 competition.
Southern B appeared to be the hungrier of the two in the opening stanza, contesting every pass with a defender over the ball trying to create turnover ball for it to secure. Phedex is a team known for its slow starts due to the large variety of playing combinations it fields.
Southern led 14-9 after the first quarter and looked the more dominant.
Phedex appeared more settled and focused in the second quarter.
Otago captain and midcourt player Debbie Hill was playing in the unfamiliar role of goal defence, but she appeared to warm to the challenge and started to exert herself and pick off some insightful intercepts.
Southern B's attack line was quick to adjust its play and altered the passing angles.
At halftime Southern B led 23-20.
In a closely-contested third quarter, it appeared Southern B was trying every trick in its book to come out on top and, in doing so, produced some of its best netball of the season.
It extended its lead to 39-35 at the three-quarter break.
In the final 15 minutes, Phedex muscled its way back into contention but Southern B held firm under the pressure to take the match.
Top-of-the-table Uni Albion A secured a direct route to the final when it downed Southern A 60-51.
Southern A gets a second life next week when it faces PhysEd A.
College A played Phys Ed A in the other semifinal losing 58-45.
College A must be disappointed as it has been the form team of the two.
Phys Ed A called on Phedex players Hill and Penny Riley (both playing half a game at goal attack) to booster its ranks.
Hill made an instant impact when she came on at halftime.
Phys Ed A now advances through to next week's round of play when it will play Southern A to determine who will face Uni Albion A in the final.
College A finished fourth in the 2010 competition.
