Photo Credit: Varsity Sport
Unbeaten FNB UCT had to fight hard for this victory (39-34) against winless FNB UJ in sweltering conditions at the Tuks B-Field where UJ's forwards dominated them laying a foundation for a big surprise. Although UJ did not win this game they showed to all their doubters that they are a quality side and they will not play dead. UJ will find it difficult to qualify for the playoffs after two defeats. However, squad depth will be tested when the teams arrive back at TUKS for the second period in the "bubble.
It took just three minutes for the Ikey Tigers to flex their attacking muscle as flyhalf James Tedder delayed his pass perfectly for charging flanker Taariq Kruger to run a sublime line and cross untouched for a point-of-origin try.
Fullback Athi Gazi did extremely well to pin his ears back and score in the corner 14 minutes later as the men in hoops hopped onto a 12-0 lead just before the first half's strategy break.
FNB UJ struggled initially to contain their opponents but found their groove to score a point-of-origin try by Nkondlo Radebe, which flyhalf Jurich Claasens converted after missing a penalty attempt earlier on.
The scoreboard pendulum quickly swung both ways as the Ikey Tigers capitalised off a strong lineout drive with hooker Josh van Vuuren dotting down a converted try, before quick thinking by FNB UJ's backs allowed fullback Boldwin Hansen to score a converted try.
Claasens cut the deficit to three points just before the breakthrough a penalty goal as FNB UCT enjoyed their oranges with a slender 21-19 lead.
The second half was much the same as both teams kept the scoreboard ticking over with FNB UJ grabbing the lead with a penalty before FNB UCT ran in another point-of-origin try that started from a strong scrum, through several hands before outside centre Le Roux Malan exploited a gap to score their bonus-point try.
No 8 Franco Schutte took heed of his coaches' advice at the strategy break as he scored a brace off powerful running and strong leg drives close to the line.
But Tedder ensured that the Ikey Tigers remained in the lead with two late penalty goals and left the first bio-bubble unbeaten after three rounds.
FNB Player that Rocks: Byron Bowes (FNB UCT Ikeys)
FNB UCT Ikeys: Tries: Taariq Kruger (1x7), Athi Gazi, Josh van Vuuren, Le Roux Malan (1x7). Conversions: James Tedder (3). Penalties: James Tedder (3).
FNB UJ: Tries: Nkondlo Radebe (1x7), Boldwin Hansen, Franco Schutte (2). Conversions: Jurich Claasens (3). Penalties: Jurich Claasens (2).
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