FNB UP-Tuks beat the Ikey Tigers 34-27 when these sides last met in the 2021 FNB Varsity Cup final. On Monday, they managed to overcome the wet and windy conditions to claim yet another win (38-30) against their old foes.
The visitors scored three tries from the set-piece in the first half. The hosts showed greater ambition from deep and may have scored more points during this period if not for a series of handling errors.
Both teams lost players to yellow cards as half-time approached. FNB UP-Tuks flank Orateng Koikanyang was suspended for cynical play on his own tryline, while FNB UCT Ikeys fullback Duran Koevort was sent to the bin for an illegal tackle.
The hosts thrived in the 14-on-14 contest. FNB UCT Ikeys did well to keep them relatively honest in this period. The half ended with the scores level at 21-21.
Playing with a strong wind at their backs in the second half, FNB UP-Tuks proceeded to take control. The hosts navigated their way deep into opposition territory and then employed a driving maul of their own. Schoonees crashed over for his second try of the evening.
Just as the game was slipping away from the visitors, Koevort chased down a David Hayes kick and scored under the uprights.
The point-of-origin try, as well as the successful conversion by Koervort, allowed the Ikey Tigers to claw their way back to within a point of their opponents. This kick took Koevort’s personal tally for the evening to 21 points.
As the rain hammered down, both teams struggled to control the ball. FNB UP-Tuks won a crucial maul penalty, however, and ensured that they spent the final stages on the FNB UCT Ikeys’ tryline.
After a sustained period of attack, scrumhalf Bernard van der Linde breached the defence. Stefan Coetzee’s ensuing conversion stretched FNB UP-Tuks’ lead to eight points, and ultimately denied the visitors a losing bonus point.
FNB UP-Tuks: Tries: Dian Schoonees (1x7, 1x5), Kabelo Mokoena, Zander Reynders, Bernard van der Linde. Conversions: Stefan Coetzee (4). Penalty: Stefan Coetzee.
FNB UCT Ikeys: Tries: Duran Koevort (1x5, 1x7), Alex Castle (2). Conversions: Duran Koevort (4).
FNB Player That Rocks: Lincoln Daniels (FNB UP-Tuks)