FNB UP Tuks Women opened their FNB Varsity Cup campaign with a convincing 15-12 win over FNB UWC Women in Bellville. The Tuks side laid the foundation of their win in the first half of the match after a clinical display helped the side open a 10-0 lead after 35 minutes.
FNB UWC Women had the stronger scrum, a solid lineout, and took the ball from coast to coast, but FNB UP Tuks’ defence held strong throughout the match to keep the home side scoreless in the first half and force them to work hard for the two second-half tries.
FNB UP-Tuks’ inspirational captain, No 8 Jess Mar opened the scoring with a penalty in front of the sticks before winger Marisna Godsil dotted down in the right corner after being put into space by her inside backs. Mar slotted a brilliant conversion from the corner to open up the halftime lead.
It took until halfway through the second stanza for FNB UWC to secure their first points of the match, with fullback Nandile Mvandaba rumbling over after an extended period of pressure from the home side.
FNB UP Tuks opposite number Kwanga Majebe glided through the FNB UWC Women defence shortly after to take her side to a 15-5 lead.
With time up on the clock and the match out of sight, FNB UWC Women scored a brilliant, long-range, point-of-origin try through winger Qaqamba Ngqabalala to put a few smiles on the home crowd’s faces.
Scorers:
FNB UWC Women: Tries: Nandile Mvandaba, Qaqamba Ngqabalala (point-of-origin).
FNB Tuks Women: Tries: Marisna Godsil, Kwanga Majebe. Conversion: Jess Mare. Penalty: Jess Mare.
Teams:
FNB UWC Women: 1 Sange Makhwezela, 2 Unathi Tolbart, 3 Anothando Khatshwa, 4 Kaylee Daniels, 5 Iviwe Jonas, 6 Jada Davids, 7 Akhona Nkosi, 8 Lithethaa Maqhude, 9 Taybah Johaar, 10 Marli George, 11 Qaqamba Ngqabalala, 12 Anathi Mkiva, 13 Abongwe Vilane, 14 Lee-Amber Beukes (c), 15 Nandile Mvandaba. Replacements: 16 Taylon Pieterse, 17 Nothando Dlamini, 18 Olwethu Qotyiwe, 19 Tshegofatso Malatje, 20 Masentle Rethabile Khanyetsi, 21 Samukelisiwe Mjweni, 22 Amaarah Abrahams, 23 Sisipho Tshotsha.
FNB Tuks Women: 1 Arnell Primo, 2 Aphiwe Masuku, 3 Nomzamo Nimorundsini, 4 Mbali Ndlovu, 5 Rethabile Kgatle, 6 Thandi Mokatse, 7 Kheselina Rens, 8 Jess Maré, 9 Erin Prins, 10 Precious Tlaka, 11 Amukelani Lisenga, 12 Gugu Mncwabe, 13 Lerato Tshabalala, 14 Marisna Godsil, 15 Kwanga Majebe. Replacements: 16 Leoné De Bruyn, 17 Sharon Stoaba, 18 Naki Thukutha, 19 Ox Xholi, 20 Gina Moya, 21 Innocentia Kgosana, 22 Thato Nkadimeng.