FNB Wits cap off outstanding Varsity Shield campaign

Apr 19 • General News, Varsity & Club, Varsity Cup • 2323 Views • Comments Off on FNB Wits cap off outstanding Varsity Shield campaign

MATCH REPORT: FNB Wits cap off outstanding Varsity Shield campaign, defeating FNB UWC 39-2 in the final

FNB Wits were too strong for FNB UWC, dominating the Varsity Shield Final at Wits Rugby Stadium to win 39-2 on Monday night in their final Varsity Shield match before Varsity Cup promotion in 2017.

A wet field at Wits Rugby Stadium played host to the Varsity Shield Final, as FNB Wits hosted FNB UWC on a crisp Monday evening in Johannesburg.

Although FNB Wits had already secured Varsity Cup promotion for 2017, there were no signs of complacency, as they scored as early as the fifth minute through scrumhalf Ruan Cloete.

FNB Wits dominated the first 20 minutes of the match, as FNB UWC struggled to gain possession and conceded numerous penalties. FNB UWC pulled back two points through a successful penalty kick by their star flyhalf Aidynn Cupido, but it wasn’t long before Kyle Wesemann crossed over for FNB Wits’ second after a brilliant breakaway run by Kwanele Ngema.

In the 23^rd minute the lights went out as Wits Rugby Stadium experienced a power outage and the players went back into their changing rooms. Play resumed 30 minutes later.

Warren Gilbert continued to pull the strings for FNB Wits at No. 10 and soon slotted a slick drop goal from just outside the 22 to extend his side’s lead to 15-2.

Graham Logan crossed over after a strong driving maul to add a third try on the stroke of half time. FNB Wits led 23-2.

The second half was more evenly matched. It took 20 minutes for either team to score, when FNB Wits eventually pushed over through hooker CJ Conradie. Nine minutes later, FNB Wits’ Beckerling was over for another try, as his side’s forwards continued to dominate up front.

FNB UWC gave it their all and strung together a few good moves in the final five minutes, but it was too little too late. FNB Wits were crowned the 2016 Varsity Shield champions, winning 39-2.

Player That Rocks: Constant Beckerling (FNB Wits)

Scorers:

FNB Wits: 39

Tries: Ruan Cloete, Kyle Wesemann, Graham Logan, CJ Conradie, Constant Beckerling
Cons: Warren Gilbert (4)

Drop goals: Warren Gilbert

FNB UWC: 2

Pens: Aidynn Cupido

Teams:

FNB Wits:

15 Luxolo Ntsepe, 14 Kwanele Ngema, 13 Joshua Jarvis, 12 Kyle Wesemann, 11 Sicelo Champion, 10 Warren Gilbert, 9 Ruan Cloete, 8 Constant Beckerling, 7 Conor Brockschmidt, 6 Ruan MacDonald, 5. Mitchell Fraser, 4 Graham Logan, 3 Luvuyo Pupuma, 2 CJ Conradie, 1 Tidje Visser

16 Craig Hume, 17 Ameer Willaims, 18 Mitchell Crossman, 19 Ayabulela Mdudi, 20 Wian Coetzee, 21 Thato Marubela, 22 Adriaan van Blerk, 23 Brandon Palmer

FNB UWC:
15 Jacquin Moses, 14 Octovane van Staden, 13 Courtney Cupido, 12 Lubabalo Faleni, 11 Minenhle Mthethwa, 10 Aidynn Cupido, 9 Clayton Daniels, 8 Matthew Faught, , 7 Jeremy Papier, 6 Verno Treu, 5 Matthew le Roux, 4 Brandon Valentyn, 3 Tahriq Allen, 2 Peter Wanjiru, 1 Kelvin de Bruyn

16 Keenan Douw, 17 Wayron Losper, 18 Sabelo Dlamini, 19 Byron Burgess, 20 Matthew Nortje, 21 Melikhaya Wana, 22 Monre Lingeveldt, 23 Robin Paulse