FNB Pukke overcome courageous FNB CUT

Mar 24 • General News, Varsity & Club, Varsity Cup • 2482 Views • Comments Off on FNB Pukke overcome courageous FNB CUT

FNB Pukke overcome courageous FNB CUT to win 44-14

FNB Pukke were their own worst enemies in a 44-14 victory over FNB CUT at the Cape Town Stadium on Monday.

Two yellow cards in the space of 14 minutes gave FNB CUT a golden opportunity to stage a comeback after finding themselves trailing 14-0 after 27 minutes. But they ultimately failed to capitalise, and FNB Pukke were let off the hook.

The opening first 20 minutes was dominated by a creative FNB Pukke attack and a resolute FNB CUT defence. FNB Pukke’s dangerous backline threatened to score whenever they had the ball, but their struggles at lineout time meant they had lost a valuable attacking weapon. In this time, FNB Pukke lost three of their own throws, limiting their attack, while FNB CUT tackled valiantly to keep the score at deadlock by the first strategy break.

Despite their misfiring lineout, FNB Pukke turned down an easy shot at goal in the 21^st minute to kick for touch and give them a lineout five meters out from FNB CUT’s tryline. Their faith was rewarded when the captain, Jeandre Rudolph, found a gap to canter over under the crossbar for an easy conversion. Now with their lineout back in working order and some confidence, FNB Pukke would score a seven-point try five minutes later thanks to a superb offload. Fullback, Rhyno Smith, would make a rare miss to keep the scores at 14-0. Moments later, Rudolph would go from hero to villain as he was yellow carded in the 32^nd minute. FNB CUT, not for the first time, wouldn’t make the most of their advantage, and headed into the tunnel with the scores unchanged.

Once restored to a full contingent, FNB Pukke would resume their fine form, scoring a converted nine-point try in the 43^rd minute. But, once again, FNB Pukke lost a man to the Afkoelstoel as Walt Steenkamp was shown a slice of cheese by the referee. This time, FNB CUT managed to put some points on the board through a converted try, but any hopes of a comeback were put to rest when FNB Pukke hit back immediately through a converted try of their own. As a result, when Steenkamp returned to the field, FNB Pukke were still 25 points ahead at 32-7 after 53 minutes.

FNB CUT did manage to score another converted try in the 61st minute to reduce the deficit to 18-points, but their window had closed. One last seven-point try and a penalty by FNB Pukke only rubbed salt into the wound.

The result sets up two mouth-watering clashes next week Monday as FNB Pukke take on FNB Shimlas in a battle for second place and the rights to host a semi-final, while FNB CUT will take on FNB Madibaz in an attempt to avoid relegation.

FNB Player That Rocks: Malherbe Swart (FNB Pukke)

Scorers:
FNB Pukke: 44
Nine-point tries: Louis van der Westhuizen
Seven-points tries: Sylvian Mahuza, Malherbe Swart
Five-points tries: Jeandre Rudolph, Bartholomeus le Roux
Cons: Rhyno Smith (4)
Pens: Rhyno Smith

FNB CUT: 14
Nine-point tries: 0
Seven-points tries: 0
Five-points tries: Johann Grundling, Len Noort
Cons: Meyer van Tonder (2)

Teams:
FNB Pukke: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Johan Deysel, 12 Hendrik Marais, 11 Lucian Cupido, 10 Barend Janse van Rensburg, 9 Malherbe Swart, 8 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Loftus Morrison, 6 Jeandre Rudolph (c), 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Christiaan Liebenberg, 3 Dewald Dekker, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Mashudu Mafela
Replacements: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Mogau Mabokela, 18 Ruan Venter, 19 Jaco Jordaan, 20 Chriswill September, 21 Akhona Nela, 22 Elden Schoeman, 23 Bartholomeus le Roux

FNB CUT: 15 Meyer van Tonder, 14 Mauro Bucachane, 13 Ruan Wasserman, 12 Johan Nel, 11 Masego Toolo, 10 Darron Baron, 9 Marius Grobler, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Vincent Maruping, 6 Rayno Nel, 5 SJ Roux, 4 Wikus Davis, 3 Gunther Janse van Vuuren, 2 Cameron van Heerden, 1 Juan Volkwyn

Replacements: 16 Len Noort, 17 Gerard Baard, 18 Sylvester Makakole, 19 Junior Burger, 20 Olwethu Ndakisa, 21 Tisetso Madonsela, 22 Johann Grundling, 23 George Marich