There were big wins for the NWU Eagles and UCT Ikey Tigers as the Varsity Cup playoff race heated up in the fifth round of action on Monday.
REPORT: Quickstart Maties deny winless Tuks
NWU EAGLES 45 CUT 28
NWU Eagles maintained their position at the top of the log following a hard-fought 45-28 victory against CUT at the Fanie du Toit Sportsground. Matthew Fortuin scored a brace of tries for the Eagles to continue their fine start to the campaign.
The Eagles, who were led by Vernon Paulo in the absence of Riaan Genis, took a 23-12 halftime lead following tries from Ntobeko Shezi, Vernon Paulo and Matthee Fortuin, with Zinedine Robinson successful with the conversions to give the home team the advantage. CUT responded with tries from Jacobus Cloete and Jandre de Beer.
The Eagles continued with their brilliant start to the game in the second half when Fortuin got his second try of the night to make it 32-12. CUT had to replace Ricoman Titus following an arm injury ten minutes into the second half, with Zac Bester coming on.
The visitors fought back with a try from Asekho Marubela and Matthew Sekele to try and make a comeback. A brilliant try from Aphelele Madaka however secured the win for NWU while CUT slipped from second to fourth on the log
NWU Eagles 45 (23) – Tries: Ntobeko Shezi, Vernon Paulo, Aphelele Madaka, Matthew Fortuin (2). Conversions: Zinedine Robinson (4), Martin Venter (1). Penalties: Robinson (1), Venter (1).
CUT 28 (12) – Tries: Jacobus Cloete, Jandre de Beer, Matthew Sekele, Asekho Marubela. Conversions: Tyler Sefoor (4).
Player That Rocks: Gustav Erlank (NWU)
UCT IKEYS 46 WITS 19
What started as a gutsy encounter at a cold Green Mile Stadion in Cape Town, saw UCT Ikeys demolish Wits 46-19.
The Tigers laid the ground rules early on by showing positive intent with the ball in hand. Centre Tom Nell scored from a turnover with Ntokozo Makhaza successfully converting.
It didn’t take long before Wits responded with a seven-pointer try courtesy of full-back Setshaba Mokoena. However, tries by Sipho Dyonase, Makhaza and Duran Koevort put the home side 34-7 in front at halftime.
The second half started on a high with the visitors trying to catch up when Azakhiwe Afrika crossed the try-line. UCT punched back with a try through Enos Ndiao, whose all-round play earned him the Player That Rocks award.
Wits showed hunger as Mark Synman added to the scoresheet with Gerswin Mouton adding the conversion.
Tom Dawson-Squibb’s charges were not done as substitute Rihaz Fredericks registered his name to the scoreboard with a try for a well-deserved victory.
UCT 46 (34) – Tries: Tom Nell, Sipho Dyonase, Ntokozo Makhaza, Duran Koevort, Enos Ndiao, Rihaz Fredericks. Conversations: Makhaza (5)
Wits 19 (7) – Tries: Setshaba Mokoena, Azakhiwe Afrika, Mark Snyman. Conversations: Gerswin Mouton (1).
Player That Rocks: Enos Ndiao (UCT)
UFS SHIMLAS 31 UJ 30
UFS Shimlas fought to the bitter end to edge out UJ 31-30 in a humdinger in Bloemfontein.
The match at Shimla Park had a lot of drama, including lights going out due to a total blackout in the City of Roses some 19 minutes into the game.
UJ opened the scoring with flanker Christiaan Pretorius going over for the first of his two tries, while Rowan Malgas converted. Minutes later, Shimlas struck back with hooker William Moffat dotting down with the try being converted by Litha Nkula.
Pretorius went over again to complete his brace, but once again the home side struck back immediately when Nkula flew over for his try.
And then the lights went out. After a couple of minutes in the darkness, the generators kicked in and the game resumed while the entire city was still in the dark.
With four minutes to play before the halftime break, Shimlas’ Siviwe Zondani scored the first of his two tries to hand his team a 23-14 lead at the break.
Ten minutes into the second period, Zondani completed his brace for the evening, but this time Nkula couldn’t add the extra two. He did however land a penalty which proved to be vital.
Tries by Prince Nkabinde and Kelvin Kanenungo for UJ made it a one-point game with 5 minutes to play. After the hooter, UJ were in for a chance with a 5-metre lineout, but they were penalised for holding the ball on the ground.
UFS Shimlas 31 (23) – Tries: William Moffat, Litha Nkula, Siviwe Zondani (2). Conversions: Litha Nkula (2). Penalties: Nkula (1).
UJ 30 (14) – Tries: Christiaan Pretorius (2), Prince Nkabinde, Kelvin Kanenungo. Conversions: Rowan Malgas (4).
Player That Rocks: Siviwe Zondani (UFS).
Photo: BARCO GREEFF/Varsity Sports