A solid second-half display by FNB Varsity College secured them a hard-fought 26-13 victory over FNB UFH in round four of the FNB Varsity Shield at the Davidson Stadium on Thursday.
FNB Varsity College came into the clash on the back of two wins and one defeat so far in this year’s campaign.
They came up against a struggling UFH Blues side that was in search of their first victory this year after recording three losses on the trot.
The first half was a thrilling encounter, and it was the hosts who came out firing and threw in the kitchen sink.
They dominated ball possession, played in their opponent’s half and were rewarded with a penalty that was converted by scrumhalf, Sinalo Jivana in the 15th minute.
The Blues weren’t done and scored the game’s first try after the strategy break when hooker, Bunono Jamani crashed over from a rolling maul.
They managed to keep FNB Varsity College out and led 13-0 at the halfway mark after another three points from the boot of Jivana.
The second stanza was a totally different story, and the visitors showed intent from the get-go.
They scored three tries in the opening 20 minutes through captain, Abande Mthembu, Jaques Marais, and Chandler Green. All tries were converted by flyhalf Frederick Marx.
Hooker, Marais completed his brace in the 76th minute and the visitors kept the Blues scoreless in the second half to walk away with a bonus point win.
Scorers:
FNB UFH: Tries: Bunono Jamani. Conversion: Sinalo Jivana. Penalties: Sinalo Jivana.
FNB Varsity College: Tries: Jaques Marais (2), Abande Mthembu, Chandler Green. Conversions: Frederick Marx (3).
Teams:
FNB UFH: 1 Samkele Nzima, 2 Bunono Jamani, 3 Mbasa Babele, 4 Liyema Hlitane, 5 Kamvelihe Gcweka, 6 Yanga Gazi, 7 Mpho Ramahala, 8 Anda Simanga, 9 Sinalo Jivana, 10 Sakhele Siyamthanda, 11 Bulumko Mfundisi, 12 Lisolethu Jali, 13 Takudzwa Rushiza, 14 Lutho Mene, 15 Ukho Nomsatha. Replacements: 16 Inga Vellem, 17 Elihle Mtshemla, 18 Liyabona Matyana, 19 Michael Mangava, 20 Dala Mgidi, 21 Kamva Jenqa, 22 Bulelani Thanki, 23 Okuhle Pangwa.
FNB Varsity College: 1 Okuhlekodwa Meyiwa, 2 Jaques Marais, 3 Daniel Van Huizen, 4 Robert Everson, 5 Garren Muller, 6 Sinelifa Ncwana, 7 Enzo Van Niekerk, 8 Juan Orde Steyl, 9 Abande Mthembu, 10 Frederick Marx, 11 Edward Sigauke, 12 Mambo Mkhize, 13 Anwill Prins, 14 Sivuyiswe Mpendu, 15 Chandler Green. Replacements: 16 Thabo Njapha, 17 Bradley Moroney, 18 Donell Francis, 19 Jonathan Horak, 20 Reece Curtin, 21 Dallyn Beukes, 22 MJ Schoeman, 23 Mignon Stevens.