Historic first Varsity Cup win for FNB CUT Ixias

Feb 15 • General News, Varsity & Club, Varsity Cup • 1853 Views • Comments Off on Historic first Varsity Cup win for FNB CUT Ixias

FNB CUT Ixias recorded their historic first in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International on Monday evening. The Ixias put in a gutsy performance to narrowly beat the visiting FNB UCT Ikey Tigers in a wet Bloemfontein, by 10-9. At the half time break, Ikeys led by 9-3.

Rain started falling during the warm-up session, but stopped during the kick-off. However, the rain kept returning throughout the match, ensuring that both teams were hampered by the tricky bounce of the wet ball and slippery surface underfoot.

The FNB Ixias showed their intent from the kickoff, getting to within 10 metres of the Hooped Shirts’ try line, but scoring eluded the Blue Bombers from Bloem.

As predicted, it was a “battle of Bloem” indeed. Both teams tried their utmost to play positive, attacking rugby, although the unsuitable playing conditions did not reward their efforts, mostly.

FNB UCT opened the scoring in the 14^th minute when centre Hendrik Lategan broke through the FNB Ixias’ defence and scored a seven-point try, converted by flyhalf Rob Anderson. This score would turn out to be the only score for FNB UCT in this match.

In the 25^th minute FNB CUT flyhalf Darron Baron slotted home a long range penalty kick, reducing FNB UCT’s lead to just six points. Baron missed two long-range penalty kicks in the first half.

In the second half FNB CUT Ixias started playing with more confidence, as if they realised that they could, in fact, surprise the visitors on the wet pitch. Both teams tried running the ball at every occasion, but the wet ball seemed to have a mind of its own.

In the 43^rd minute FNB CUT launched a hard attack into the FNB UCT “red zone” and centre Clinton Toua ran onto a pass at speed, and at an excellent angle, scoring the winning try near the posts. Baron converted and the home side were ahead by a solitary point (10-9).

Although Baron missed yet another penalty in the 69^th minute, FNB CUT took the Tigers by the throat in the final 10 minutes, launching one probing attack after another on the Tiger’s goal line. The visitors defence held, though.

Lock Ryno Nel played his heart out for the FNB Ixias, earning him the Player that Rocks award. Hooker Theuns Truter, loose forwards Jasper Wiese and Vincent Maruping certainly caught the eye several times.

For the FNB UCT Tigers, centre Hendrik Lategan played like a man possessed. He never gave up trying, not in defence, nor on attack.

Scorers:

FNB CUT:
Five-point tries: Clinton Toua
Penalties: Darron Baron
Conversions: Darron Baron

FNB UCT:
Seven-point tries: Hendrik Lategan

Conversions: Rob Anderson

Teams:

FNB CUT: 15. Meyer van Tonder 14. Clinton Toua 13. Johan Nel. 12. Charles Hitchcock (C) 11. Henry Immelman 10. Darron Baron 9. Marius Grobler 8. Jasper Wiese 7. Vincent Maruping 6. Dean Rossouw 5. Ryno Nel 4. Wikus Davis 3. Gunter Janse van Vuuren 2. Theuns Truter 1. Juan Volkwyn

Reserves: 16. Len Noort 17. Gerard Baard 18. Sylvester Makakole 19. Junior Burger 20. Dean Jacobs 21. Ali Mgijima 22. Lethole Makoena 23. George Marich

FNB UCT: 15. Joel Smith 14. Nathan Nel 13. Lihleli Xoli 12. Hendrik Lategan 11. Suwilanji Chibale 10. Rob Anderson 9. Dylan Tidbury 8. Guy Alexander (C) 7. Luke Stringer 6. Jason Klaasen 5. Gary Porter 4. Mark Pryor 3. Michael Kumburai 2. Brenton Greaves 1. Joel Carew.

Reserves: 16. Keagan Timm 17. Msizi Zondi 18. Olwethu Hugo 19. Nyasha Tarusenga 20. Steven Wallace 21. Hilio de Abreu 22. Berard Pietersen 23. Sam Theron