FNB NWU Eagles maintained their position at the top of the log following a hard-fought 45-28 victory against FNB CUT at the Fanie du Toit Sportsground. Matthew Fortuin scored a brace of tries for the Eagles to continue their fine start to the campaign.
The Eagles, who were led by Vernon Paulo in the absence of Riaan Genis, took a 23-12 halftime lead following tries from Ntobeko Shezi, Vernon Paulo and Matthee Fortuin, with Zinedine Robinson successful with the conversions to give the home team the advantage. CUT responded with tries from Jacobus Cloete and Jandre de Beer.
The Eagles continued with their brilliant start to the game in the second half when Fortuin got his second try of the night to make it 32-12. CUT had to replace Ricoman Titus following an arm injury ten minutes into the second half, with Zac Bester coming on.
The visitors fought back with a try from Asekho Marubela and Matthew Sekele to try and make a comeback. A brilliant try from Aphelele Madaka however secured the win for NWU while CUT slipped from second to fourth on the log
Scorers:
FNB NWU Eagles 45 (23) – Tries: Ntobeko Shezi, Vernon Paulo, Aphelele Madaka, Matthew Fortuin (2). Conversions: Zinedine Robinson (4), Martin Venter (1). Penalties: Zinedine Robinson (1), Martin Venter (1).
FNB CUT 28 (12) – Tries: Jacobus Cloete, Jandre de Beer, Matthew Sekele, Asekho Marubela. Conversions: Tyler Sefoor (4).
FNB Player That Rocks: Gustav Erlank (NWU)
Teams:
FNB NWU Eagles: 15 Swanepoel Tino Santino , 14 Windvogel Keano Ricardo, 13 Pretorius Theunis Gerhardus, 12 Fortuin Matthew Luke, 11 Jaarts Naiden, 10 Robinson Zinedine, 9 Hassien Sylvester, 8 Erlank Gustav Zacharias, 7 Bertram Karl-Heinz Henlein, 6 Vermaak Chris, 5 Nel Wihan, 4 White Junior, 3 Shezi Ntobeko Thabiso, 2 Paulo Vernon, 1 du Plessis Ruben.
FNB CUT: 15 Titus Ricoman, 14 Gouveia Adielson Gouveia, 13 Botha Lesley, 12 de Beer Jandré, 11 Malumane Tsepo Siphosethu, 10 Sefoor Tyler, 9 Swartbooi Xavier Alister, 8 Bester Francois Johannes, 7 Stander Ulrich Stephan, 6 Cloete Jacobus Johannes, 5 Sekele Matthew M. Maboe, 4 Marubelela Asekho Phindile, 3 Joubert Sarel Jacobus, 2 Drotske Tiaan, 1 Bessenger Jan Hendrik.
