will, for years to come, be remembered as one of those special days in the history of TuksSport, as, within a mere six hours, the university’s sports gladiators clinched four USSA titles.
The Tuks men’s and women’s hockey teams, as were the netball and the men’s indoor volleyball teams, were victorious. On Thursday, Helena Hudson was crowned USSA’s women’s squash champion.
The netball team proved there is truth in the sports saying about a particular fat lady who needs to sing before any result is final. In both the semifinal and the final, there was a moment when it seemed as if all was lost. But giving up was not an option for the Tuks “Girls”.
To say yesterday’s final against UJ was a humdinger is no exaggeration. At the end of the third quarter, Tuks led 34–27. It seemed a foregone conclusion that Tuks would win, but like “slow poison”, UJ fought themselves back into contention to win.
With 80 seconds left to play, the score was 39-all. Kamogelo Maseko scored with 60 seconds left to give Tuks a one-goal lead. UJ equalised. Then, with about ten seconds left, Marichelle Visagie scored the winning goal for Tuks.
Tuks’s semifinal clash against Kovsies was as intense. Tuks only got to score the winning goal in extra time.
The Tuks men’s hockey team continued their domination at the university level by beating Maties 6–4 in the final. It is the third time in four years that are crowned USSA champions.
In the women’s final, Tuks was victorious, beating Northwest 2–1.
“A tough one,” is how Inky Zondi Tuks’s coach summarised the final.
“The result proves that hard work and dedication do pay off. Especially considering that we are a young team. Eleven of our players are first-year students, but they stepped out when it mattered. The way they defended was brilliant. I am also excited how the goals were scored as it was something we practised during training.”
Lilly-Anne Theron (Tuks) got the award as goalkeeper of the tournament, while Tuks’s captain, Tegan Fourie, was the player of the tournament.
Fourie’s award is no surprise as every time she runs on the Astroturf, she has a mindset of team first.
“The team relies on me to stay composed. Distribution is a big part of my game. I am always looking to set up an attacking platform for the team. Being one of the older players, I bring experience and guidance,” said Fourie, who has captained the side for the last three years.
The Tuks men’s indoor volleyball team went one better than last year by beating the University of KwaZulu Natal in the final. Last year, Tuks won bronze. It was the first time that Tuks medalled at USSA’s.
Helena Hudson was in excellent form on the squash court. She won seven games, dropping only one set.
Tuks’s rugby team finished third by beating Wits 22-3 yesterday. In their first encounter, they have beaten Ikeys 35-15. Their only loss was against Kovsies (Varsity Cup Champions). The score was 33-28. Maties is the USSA champion, beating Kovsies 32-19 in the final.