Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
FNB UCT Ikeys claimed their first win (27-20) against their arch-rivals in six matches and ended FNB Maties’ 25-match winning streak in the FNB Varsity Cup. Maties were overshadowed by their opponents with the winning margin not a true reflection of the match.
In a game plagued by more yellow cards than tries, flyhalf James Tedder got FNB UCT Ikeys off to an emphatic start when his cross-kick was chased down by scrumhalf-turned-wing Liam Kloosman, who scored in the corner. Tedder missed the conversion but added a penalty to make it 8-0.
Ikeys' elation was short-lived, though, as lock Matthew Grobler and prop Robert Hunt were yellow-carded in quick succession. FNB Maties took full advantage when captain David Brits scored a converted try, but Tedder slotted a penalty while his side was down to 13 men to make it 11-7.
On the stroke of half-time, lock Simon Miller was handed FNB Maties' first yellow card and FNB UCT Ikeys hooker Devon Arendse scored from a lineout driving maul.
After FNB UCT Ikeys winger Rethabile Louw and FNB Maties flank Matthys Kitshoff had received the fourth and fifth yellow cards of the night, No 8 Christian Stehlik scored from a powerful Ikeys scrum. Tedder nailed the conversion and a mammoth penalty to make it 26-13.
FNB UCT Ikeys’ fourth yellow card, for replacement hooker Josh van Vuuren, was followed by a converted try for FNB Maties flank Mitchell Carstens.
FNB Maties pushed hard for a match-winning try in stoppage time, but FNB UCT Ikeys were able to hang on for a well-deserved win.
FNB Player That Rocks: James Tedder (FNB UCT)
FNB UCT: Tries: Liam Kloosman, Devon Arendse, Christian Stehlik. Conversion: James Tedder. Penalties: James Tedder (3).
FNB Maties: Tries: David Brits, Mitchell Carstens. Conversions: Nevaldo Fleurs (2). Penalties: Nevaldo Fleurs (2).