Dubious calls and yellow cards
The FNB NMMU Madibaz hosted the FNB Maties in their first home game of this year’s FNB Varsity Cup at the NMMU Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Monday.
The Stellenbosch side were up against all sorts on elements, natural and man made, having to compete against strong winds, dubious calls from the match referee and two yellow cards in last quarter, but despite all of that they still managed to snatch victory from the hands of the Madibaz.
Madibaz’s Simon Bolze kicked two early penalties to put his team in the lead, 6 – 0. Maties replied with their first try of the match in the 32nd minute through outside center, Paul Streicher. Conversion was missed as they trailed 5 – 6. Maties took a 12 – 6 lead at the break after a converted try on half time.
Maties extended their lead 6 minutes into the second half as fullback Craig Corbett crossed the line for their second try, the conversion was missed as they took a 17 – 6 lead. Madibaz eighth-man, Kevin Kaba scored as seven point try as the game reached the final quarter. Conversion was missed as they trailed 13 – 17 with 20 minutes left. Maties faced an almost impossible task when they received two yellow cards in the last 10 minutes, but not before they extended their lead to 20 – 13. NMMU left wing, Yamkela Ngam scored their second try to level the scores at 20 all with 10 minutes left.
NMMU took the lead through replacement Marzuq Maarman as he scored his team’s third try, conversion was missed as the home team took a 25 – 20 lead with 4 minutes to play. The powerful Maties pack out muscled the Madibaz for the umpteenth time close to their try line as they crashed over for the equalizer and their fourth try with the conversion to come. Flyhalf, Ernst Stapelberg added the extras into a strong breeze snatching victory away from the Madibaz as the game ended 27 – 25 to the visitors.
Scorers
NMMU Madibaz (6) 25 – Tries: Kevin Kaba, Yamkela Ngam, Marzuq Maarman. Penalties: Simon Bolze (2)
Maties (12) 27 – Tries: Paul Streicher, Craig Corbett, Beyers de Villiers, Vrendon Nell. Conversions: Ernst Stapelberg (2). Penalty: Stapelberg.
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