Relentless defending by FNB UFH in the final minutes gave them a 25-19 victory over FNB TUT at the TUT Stadium in Pretoria.
In what was a must-win encounter for TUT to prevent them from finishing bottom of the log, the home side opted for points at the start of the match with scrumhalf Aswen Rademeyer kicking over two penalties. The visitors responded with a penalty of their own through Aphiwe Sidloyi’s sharp boot.
Kamvelihle Fatyela then powered his way over the try line for UFH. TUT weren’t to be outdone and Sean-B Tshego responded in kind. A try by winger Okuhle Pangwa and a successful conversion by Rademeyer gave UFH a one-point lead at half-time, 17-16.
In the second half, UFH started dominating and were rewarded with a try thanks to Sinalo Jivana’s quick tap-and-go. He also added a penalty.
Rademeyer reduced the margin with another penalty as TUT piled on the pressure late in the match. Crucial discipline and solid defence however made sure UFH walked away with the victory.
Scorers:
FNB UFH: Tries: Kamvelihle Fatyela, Okuhle Pangwa, Sinalo Jivana. Conversions: Aphiwe Sidloyi (2). Penalties: Aphiwe Sidloyi, Sinalo Jivana.
FNB TUT: Tries: Sean-B Tshego. Conversions: Mihlali Bam. Penalties: Aswen Rademeyer (4).
FNB Player That Rocks: Lakheni Majali (FNB UFH)
Teams
FNB UFH: 1 Mesuli Sinovuyo Samkele Nzima, 2 Kamvelihle Fatyela, 3 Bulela Magopeni, 4 Cinga Nqotyana, 5 Kamvelihle Gcweka, 6 Anda Simanga, 7 Mpho Kensly Jnr Ramahala, 8 Yanga Gazi, 9 Sinalo Jivana, 10 Apiwe Sidloyi, 11 Okuhle Pangwa, 12 Ryan Kelly Maree, 13 Lakheni Majali, 14 Salusiwe Gxekwa, 15 Cyril Mphatsoe.
FNB TUT: 1 Mxolisi Nzama, 2 Jandre Van Zyl,3 Makhosana Junior Mashele, 4 Thato Mopedi, 5 Imani Mulongo Nday, 6 Knowledge Chaira, 7 Lutho Tom, 8 Lwazi Dlamini, 9 Aswen Rademeyer, 10 Mihlali Bam, 11 Vuyani Vanqa, 12 Dwayne Zeeland, 13 Sean-B Kagiso Tshego, 14 Junior Malaza, 15 Ayabonga Zakwe.