The Varsity Shield clash between FNB UFH and FNB UWC produced a high-octane contest, with both teams playing at full intensity from the opening whistle, but it was the visitors who walked away with all the points on Friday after the match, held at an undisclosed venue.
FNB UFH showed early aggression in the collisions, but FNB UWC were sharp and clinical. In the fourth minute, the visitors struck first from a well-controlled scrum inside the 22, Leighton Damon dotted down, with Aaron Swartz adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.
After the strategy break, the tempo lifted. FNB UWC’s flowing backline movement paid off again in the 30th minute when Juma Amisi finished off a slick move out wide to stretch the lead to 14-0. Moments later, FNB UFH were reduced to 14 men with a yellow card, and UWC capitalised immediately. A loose ball was pounced on by Nhlamulo Shilubane, who raced over to make it 21-0 at halftime.
FNB UFH came out firing in the second half, applying sustained pressure inside the UWC 22. From a loose ball, Ukho Nomsatha broke through the defence to score, with Abongile Yeye converting to cut the deficit to 21-7.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly halted as Marciano Forbes sliced through the FNB UFH defence for FNB UWC’s bonus-point try, with Swartz once again on target. Forbes was unstoppable on the day, grabbing another as UWC’s patience and precision carved open the hosts, pushing the score to 28-7.
FNB UWC continued to dominate, adding further points through powerful build-up play, including a maul-driven score, extending their advantage to 38-12. Despite yellow cards to Juma Amisi and later Syster Keith, plus a red card to Skyle February, UFH could not fully exploit their numerical advantage. Chris Gqobhoka did manage to cross for UFH’s second try, but it proved too little, too late.
It was an entertaining encounter with both teams showing flashes of quality. However, UWC’s clinical finishing and control proved decisive as they powered to a convincing 38-12 victory.
Scorers:
FNB UFH: Tries: Ukho Nomsatha, Chris Gqobhoka. Conversion: Abongile Yeye.
FNB UWC: Tries: Marciano Forbes (2), Shilubane Nhlamulo, Juma Amisi, Hlomla Ncana, Damon Leighton. Conversions: Aaron Swartz (4)
FNB Player of the Match: Marciano Forbes (UWC)
Teams:
FNB UFH: 1 Mawande Sotewu, 2 Inga Vellem, 3 Mbasa Babele, 4 Mpho Ramahala, 5 Liyema Hlitane, 6 Alizwa Majila, 7 Michael Mangava, 8 Yanga Gazi, 9 Abongile Yeye, 10 Siyamthanda Sakhela, 11 Liyema Ngoyi, 12 Lisolethu Jali, 13 Takudzwa Rushiza, 14 Bulumko Mfundisi, 15 Ukho Nomsatha. Replacements: 16 Oyisa Dayimani, 17 Elihle Mtshemla, 18 Chris Gqobhoka, 19 Inganathi Ndyambo, 20 Iviwe Kahla, 21 Kamva Jenqa, 22 Salusiwe Gxekwa, 23 Mihle Mandela.
FNB UWC: 1 Qelile Hlonela, 2 Marciano Forbes, 3 Graigan Matroos, 4 Alexander-Jaco Van Der Merwe, 5 Melumzi Mandongana, 6 Melvin Diedericks, 7 Danston Cloete (c), 8 Leighton Damon, 9 Dwayne Badenhorst, 10 Nhlamulo Shilubane, 11 Juma Amisi, 12 Denver Van Wyk, 13 Hlomla Ncana, 14 Keith Syster, 15 Aaron Swartz (v). Replacements: 16 Milani Konco, 17 Skyle February, 18 Anele Magadla, 19 Brody Goddard, 20 Fra-neeco Baron, 21 Leighton Brinkhuis, 22 Daniel Damons, 23 Leigh Braaf.