FNB UFH scored their first victory of the competition and got out of the last position on the log when they beat FNB CPUT 22-17 at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
It only took seven minutes for the home team to crack through the opposition’s defence when prop
Bulela Magopeni crossed over for a try that was duly converted by flyhalf Aphiwe Sidloyi.
Twenty minutes later the Blues doubled their score through the combination of scrumhalf Sinalo Jivana’s try and Sidloy’s conversion. The former champions piled on the pressure resulting in a try for lock Singa Nqotyana and UFH headed into the break 19-0 in the lead.
Sidloyi added the first points of the second half to the scoreboard with a penalty for the Blues.
CPUT finally got off the mark when Danielle Padiachy got one back for the Cape side. Keewan Titus added the extra two points.
Titus slotted a three-pointer as the visitors started to gain momentum with fewer errors in their general gameplay. The comeback was well and truly on when Padiachy got his brace and Titus converted to close the gap to just five points.
The first-half onslaught by UFH in the end however proved a bridge too far and CPUT had to settle for the loss.
Scorers:
FNB UFH: Tries: Bulela Magopeni, Sinalo Jivana, Singa Nqotyana. Conversions: Apiwe Sidloyi (2). Penalty: Apiwe Sidloyi.
FNB CPUT: Tries: Danielle Padiachy (2). Conversions: Keewan Titus (2). Penalty: Keewan Titus.
FNB Player That Rocks: Apiwe Sidloyi (FNB UFH)
Teams:
FNB CPUT: 1 Emihle Akho Benya, 2 Kéran Jayson Valentyn, 3 Kieran Delaan Naidoo, 4 Ntsako Ashley Mhlanga, 5 Keanan Benjamin Odwa Rolosi, 6 Duke Somila Shasha, 7 Lwando Woji, 8 Ayabulela Zono, 9 Jayson January, 10 Keewan Titus, 11 Keenan Williams, 12 Timothy Matthew Shortles, 13 Iwaan Bloys, 14 Danielle Israel Padiachy, 15 Keene Munnick.
FNB UFH: 1 Mesuli Sinovuyo Samkele Nzima, 2 Kamvelihle Fatyela, 3 Bulela Magopeni, 4 Mpho Kensly Jnr Ramahala, 5 Cinga Nqotyana, 6 Anda Simanga, 7 Kamvelihle Gcweka, 8 Yanga Gazi, 9 Sinalo Jivana, 11 Apiwe Sidloyi, 12 Okuhle Pangwa, 13 Ryan Kelly Maree, 14 Lakheni Majali, Bulumko Mfundisi, 15 Cyril Mphatsoe.