FNB UFS Shimlas fought to the bitter end to edge out FNB UJ 31-30 in a humdinger in Bloemfontein. The match at Shimla Park had a lot of drama, including lights going out due to a total blackout in the City of Roses some 19 minutes into the game.
UJ opened the scoring with flanker Christiaan Pretorius going over for the first of his two tries, while Rowan Malgas converted. Minutes later, Shimlas struck back with hooker William Moffat dotting down with the try being converted by Litha Nkula.
Pretorius went over again to complete his brace, but once again the home side struck back immediately when Nkula flew over for his try.
And then the lights went out. After a couple of minutes in the darkness, the generators kicked in and the game resumed while the entire city was still in the dark.
With four minutes to play before the halftime break, Shimlas’ Siviwe Zondani scored the first of his two tries to hand his team a 23-14 lead at the break.
Ten minutes into the second period, Zondani completed his brace for the evening, but this time Nkula couldn’t add the extra two. He did however land a penalty which proved to be vital.
Tries by Prince Nkabinde and Kelvin Kanenungo for UJ made it a one-point game with 5 minutes to play. After the hooter, UJ were in for a chance with a 5-metre lineout, but they were penalised for holding the ball on the ground.
Scorers:
FNB UFS Shimlas 31 (23) – Tries: William Moffat, Litha Nkula, Siviwe Zondani (2). Conversions: Litha Nkula (2). Penalties: Litha Nkula (1).
FNB UJ 30 (14) – Tries: Christiaan Pretorius (2), Prince Nkabinde, Kelvin Kanenungo. Conversions: Rowan Malgas (4).
FNB Player That Rocks: Siviwe Zondani (UFS)
Teams:
FNB UFS Shimlas: 15 Mabece Avuyile, 14 Zondani Siviwe, 13 Bester Zane, 12 Ngobe Nkoka Sydney Luvuyo, 11 Kunene Asanda Sihle, 10 Nkula Litha Siyasanga 9 Adams Chadd Gabby, 8 Kwezi Dlamini, 7 Liederman Tyreec Dean, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen (captain), 5 Dylan Sjöblom, 4 Viljoen Reinier Juan Martin, 3 Dos Ries Francisco, 2 Moffat William Johan, 1 Johan Schutte.
FNB UJ: 15 Cary David, 14 Nkabinde Prince, 13 Radebe Nkondlokamthimkhulu, 12 Tengimgene Likhaya, 11 Tengimgene Likhaya, 10 Malgas Rowan Hafeni, 9 Kubheka Mpho Vincent, 8 Kanenungo Kelvin, 7 Pretorius Francois Christiaan, 6 Fourie Ricardo, 5 Apea-Adu Philip, 4 Qaba Buhlebenkosi, 3 Pohlmann Heiko Peter Eugene, 2 Osuagwu Darnell Jerry-Fred, 1 Kiewit Kayden Nicklo.
