An absolute try-fest unfolded at the Green Mile as FNB UCT Ikeys ran riot over visiting FNB CUT. A total of 17 tries were scored in Cape Town, keeping the fans entertained and on the edge of their seats.
The defending champions were intent on bouncing back from their defeat on the road in the opening round and flexed their muscles against the visitors, who had hopes of silencing the home support. FNB UCT opened the scoring with a Point of Origin Try courtesy of Aidan Norris inside two minutes, with Alex Vermeulen adding the conversion.
The visitors then hit back with two tries to silence the home support and take the lead but that was short-lived as Matthew Beckett gave his side the lead just before the half-hour mark. Connor Jack Gordon made sure the defending champions went into the break with an 11-point lead as he dotted down after the hooter sounded.
The second period kicked off in the same fashion as the first as the Ikey Tigers crossed the whitewash in the early exchange, courtesy of another seven-point score by Aidan Norris. Jack Benade got himself on the scoresheet with UCT’s fourth Point of Origin try a few moments later, sending them into a 39-12 lead.
Kehan Myburgh gave CUT a flickering of belief by dotting down but his side failed to gain an advantage after exercising their right to Tap after the try.
From that moment onwards, the hosts stepped on the gas and refused to look back. The Ikey Tigers looked threatening with every attack and went on to outscore their visitors by six tries to three in the final 28-minutes.
Just like the first half, UCT dotted down after the hooter sounded to kickstart their season with an emphatic 83-34 victory on their own turn.
Scorers
FNB UCT: Tries: Aidan Norris x3, Matthew Beckett, Connor Jack Gordon, Jack Benade x2, Josh Miller, Eric Basson, Alex Vermeulen, Sino Brawen.
FNB CUT: Tries: Raydon Swartbooi, Adielson Gouveia, Kehan Myburgh, Katlego Shebu, Devinto Vergotine, Winton Abrahams.
FNB Player of the Match: Jack Benade (FNB UCT)
Teams:
FNB UCT: Matthew Beckett, Nic Van Schalkwyk, Phiko Zuka, Enos Ndiao (C), Connor Jack Gordon, Xola Nyali, Aidan Norris, Isaiah Louw, Monray Daars, Alex Vermeulen, Jack Benade, Amahle Mazibuko, Kian Davis, Bruce Campbell, Setshaba Mokoena, Tian Vorster, Mhleli Khuzwayo, Tumelo Noah, Adam De Waal, Eric Basson, Josh Miller, Sino Brawen, Cyra Mpaka.
FNB CUT: Jan Hendrik Bessenger, Tokelo Ntaopane (C), Vuyo Holiday, Jean Louis Theron, Oyama Frans, Jordan Frans, Dean Sciocatti, Hope Seyaga, Raydon Swartbooi, Kehan Myburgh, Jade Muller, Winton Abrahams, Matthys Corneluis Malan, Adielson Gouveia, Devinto Vergotine, Malekela Chilli Malothane, Neo Lesoetsa, Sean Vermaak, JH Kleynhans, Tsebano Stemer, Emlyhn Jacobs, CJ Taljaard, Katlego Shebu.