UWC Fight Off Late Surge By Madibaz

Photo Credit: Varsity Sport

Flank Tinotenda Masevere scored a first-half hat-trick as FNB UWC claimed a 47-40 first win of the tournament.win against the Madibaz. If an award is to be made for the team that improved the most these two teams must definitely be contenders. The experience of Paul Treu and Andre Tredoux as coaches is undeniable.

The FNB Madibaz made a strong start at Tuks Stadium when hooker Thembekile Boltina went over from a maul, but FNB UWC hit back through Mavasere, who beat two defenders on his way to the tryline.

Boltina got over for his second, before FNB UWC hooker Jacques van Zyl dotted down almost immediately after the first strategy break to make it a two-point game.

Mavasere then scored two tries in quick succession, the latter a point-of-origin seven-pointer, to give FNB UWC a 30-19 half-time lead.

The FNB Madibaz pack got them back into the game when flank Anrouw Nel went over early in the second half.

But FNB UWC regained control when fullback Gilroy-Lee Philander broke the line and flyhalf André Manuel’s excellent pass put wing Tasriq Mynhardt over in the corner for a seven-point try.

Despite only having 14 men on the field after fullback Tiaan Swanepoel was sent to the sin bin, Nel grabbed his second try.

FNB Madibaz hooker Ruan Jonker then scored a converted point-of-origin try in the 80th minute, which reduced the deficit to seven points. But while there was still time for the restart, FNB UWC were able to hang on for the win.

FNB Player that Rocks: Tinotenda Mavesere (FNB UWC)
FNB UWC: Tries: Tinotenda Masevere (2x5, 1x7), Jacques van Zyl (2), Tasriq Mynhardt (1x7). Conversions: Branden de Kock (5). Penalty: Branden De Kock.
FNB Madibaz: Tries: Tembekile Boltina (2), Aya Oliphant, Arnouw Nel (2), Ruan Jonker (1x7). Conversions: Tian Schutte (4).