Unbeaten going into Saturday's final at the Edgar Centre, University-Albion had to work hard but finished the season in style with an impressive effort.
"[They] put together a full 60 minutes of netball," delighted coach Noeline Scott said after the match.
The lead see-sawed in a nervous opening stanza as both teams jostled to settle first.
University-Albion opted for firm, strong passes, with players working hard off the ball to ensure their markers were given the slip before they received the ball.
Southern, on the other hand, was utilising fast breaks to secure court position and trailed 13-12 at the break.
Southern upped its defensive pressure in the second quarter and was rewarded with a strong opening passage of play.
However, University-Albion showed emerging maturity and was patient on attack.
Goal attack Shannon Francois campaigned valiantly to ensure the ball remained in her team's hands, and combined speed with patience to keep the opposition defenders guessing.
With the scored tied at 26-26, it was University-Albion which emerged stronger from the halftime break.
Goal keep Louise Thayer tightened the pressure and helped her team build a 10-point lead.
Southern lost its momentum but settled late in the quarter and reduced the deficit to 34-42 going into the final period of play.
Forced into catch-up netball, Southern pushed hard, lifting the tempo and firing some risky passes.
The gamble paid off with Southern cutting the margin by five goals but University-Albion held its nerve to seal the win.
Southern's competitive do-or-die attitude was marginally eclipsed by University-Albion's ability to absorb the mounting pressure, making the game a worthy finale to the season.
At the prizegiving following the final, Southern coach Georgie Salter was made a life member of the Dunedin Netball Centre by centre patron Margaret Bruss.
Salter has been extensively involved in Otago and Dunedin netball since first playing for the province in 1969.
In 1998, Salter coached Otago to a national championship title, then followed it up by propelling the Dunedin-based Otago Rebels franchise to the inaugural Coca-Cola Cup title.
She is still heavily involved in club and school netball and mentors many local coaches.
University-Albion 53
Southern 47
