Varsity Cup – Second Half Fight Back Secure FNB Wits Win Over FNB CUT

 

FNB Wits fought back from a half-time deficit to score their second victory of the season when they beat FNB CUT 34-17 in front of an excited home crowd in Johannesburg.

The first half saw a slow start from both teams, as they tried to get used to the slightly wet conditions. Passes went astray and the visitors looked more comfortable early on. CUT winger Zachery Bester found himself with acres of space out wide, picking up a pass and racing to dot down within five minutes. CUT flyhalf Juan Smith was successful with the conversion but he exceeded his kicking time, and it was disallowed. He was on time with his first penalty though.

The hosts, after making a few attempts, were finally rewarded with fullback Setshaba Mokoena slotting a penalty to make it 3-8. Smith added two more penalties for CUT before Wits’ captain fantastic Cal Smid crossed over for a try. The men from the Free State led 14-8 at half-time.

The second half saw a different Wits running on to the pitch, scoring four tries in the process with Kabelo Mokhethi, Marno Grobbelaar, Kivon Chirwa and Setshaba Mokoena crossing the try line.

CUT looked somewhat stunned, failing to keep the Witsies at bay. The visitors did however manage to add three points to their tally, through the boot of Smith.

Scorers:

FNB WITS: Tries: Cal Smid, Kabelo Mokhethi, Marno Grobbelaar, Kivon Chirwa, Setshaba Mokoena. Conversions: Setshaba Mokoena (3). Penalties: Setshaba Mokoena
FNB CUT: Tries: Zachery Bester. Conversion: Juan Smith. Penalties: Juan Smith (3).

FNB Player That Rocks: George Devenish (FNB Wits)

Teams:

FNB Wits: 1 Ronan Dutton, 2 Marno Grobbelaar, 3 Sibusiso Shongwe, 4 George Lawson St Leger Devenish, 5 Cal Smid, 6 Kelvin Kanenungo, 7 Dewet-Grant Fourie, 8 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 9 Mogamad Hassiem Pead, 10 Kabelo Mokhethi, 11 Kevon Nathan Simphiwe Chirwa, 12 Mark Dilan Snyman, 13 Liyema Matyolweni, 14 Dustyn Matthew Holmes, 15 Setshaba Mohlakoane Mokoena.

FNB CUT: 1 Albertus Human Venter, 2 Tokelo Oratile Ntaopane, 3 Sisipho Nofuya, 4 Asekho Phindile Marubelela, 5 Kevin Strydom, 6 Tjaart Jurie Van der Walt, 7 Tsebano Edward Stemer, 8 Jacobus Johannes Cloete, 9 Triveno Swartz, 10 Juan Arnold Smith, 11 Zachery Bester, 12 Septimus Dercksen, 13 Liam Prinsloo, 14 Adielson Gouveia, 15 Natanael Young.