Saal hat-trick secures Maties third win
Hat-trick of tries from former Kasselsvlei High player, Duncan Saal ensured the Maties continue their winning ways by thumping the UP-Tuks in the Varsity Cup fixture on Monday 22 February 2016 at the Danie Craven Stadium, 29-16.
The boys from Stellenbosch secured their third consecutive victory. A near perfect start for the former Griquas head coach, Hawies Fourie.
As early as the first minute Maties fly-half Ernst Stapelberg kicked for touch to set-up a sure 5-point try for the home-side, however it was turned over by inside centre, Toko Maebane to set-up the first try of the match at the other end.
A 75-metre dash from Tukkies right winger, Keanan van Wyk gave the out-of-form Tukkies side a glimmer of hope as they took an early 9-point lead.
With the new try scoring points system, the try originated inside their half and resulted in a 9-point try to the visiting side, conversion missed.
This was however one of the far and few occasions that the Tukkies seemed to be threatening the Maties try-line.
Eighth-man, Kobus van Dyk was well supported by captain Beyers de Villiers and Wilhelm van der Sluys as the Maties enjoyed some quality front-foot ball.
Saal scored two of his three tries before the hooter, ensuring that the home-side went into the break with a comfortable 20-9 lead.
It was the quick and positive inter-play from the four-time champions that saw them not only enjoy most of the possession, but also the territory over the boys from Pretoria.
Playing in his fourth tournament, Craig Barry is being viewed as the more senior and experienced in the Maties setup.
Barry was one of the heroes in the home game two weeks ago, against CUT.
A host of substitutions late in the second half from the incoming Tukkies coach, Pote Human gave the visiting side some resurgence as they made valuable meters advancing deep into Maties territory.
The new try-scoring points system gives the trailing side even more scoring opportunities and ensures that ball in hand will be rewarded.
Tukkies held onto the ball in the last quarter of the match, camping out in the Maties’ half.
The visitors made all the right moves to get good go-forward ball, they could not however convert possession into points.
In similar fashion to the first half, their mistakes and discipline letting them down at times when they found themselves deep inside the home-side territory.
Saal finished off his hat-trick after Duhan van der Merwe failed to regather a Stapleberg chip kick, the ball bouncing favorably for the right-winger and he went over for his side’s fourth try.
“We are happy with the win,” Saal added.
Saal also won the Player that Rocks for his hat-trick.
“This is my first time scoring for Maties and it was great.”
“Discipline let us down last week, but we are happy that we could have changed that around in one week,” captain de Villiers said.
“We will enjoy the rest and get back to the practice field and prepare for our next one.”
Maties will travel to Johannesburg to face the University of Johannesburg on the 29th February. at the Danie Craven Stadium, 29-16.
Written by Lyndon Julius @lyndonjulius
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