Clean sweep for UCT in George

UCT 28 : 14 Shimlas (University of the Freestate)

UCT captain JJ Gagiano’s team finished the final match of the George Easter Weekend with yet another 5 pointer, beating Freestate rivals Shimlas by 4 tries to 1 – it was also the final match of the Varsity Cup round robin. The match had no impact on the log standings, with all the remaining semi-final spots booked earlier in the day, so UCT coaches John Dobson and Robbie Fleck gave the fresher legs of their squad a run.

The conditions were less than favourable, with the fog pouring into Outeniqua Park and rain further soaking the battered field, that had seen 20odd matches over the last five days.

Shimlas opened the scoreline with two penalties, as Ikeys tried to find their rhythm, but it was UCT who scored the first try. With their first visit to the Shimlas’ 22, losehead prop Wesley Chetty finished off a wellworked lineout-drive. Kyle Wickens added the conversion for a 7:6 lead.

Ikeys now started playing better and a strong attacking phase was finished off by JJ Gagiano quickly taking a free-kick and beating a defender to jog in for try no two from 10 meters out. Strong running outside centre James Martin who had yet another great performance that would earn him the Man of the Match award – added his team’s third try, but Shimlas’ replied with a try of their own to make it 17:14 at half time.

The weather conditions got worse in the second half, with handling error’s ending many UCT attacking phases.  Ikey’s pretty much camped in Shimlas’ territory for most fo the second half and winger Justin Bijl scored the final try of the match, with Danie vd Merwe adding two conversions to ensure yet another full point haul vicory for the Ikey Tigers.

Ikeys have certainly surprised many in the competition so far and 31log points and an impressive points difference of +111 speaks for itself. They scored more points, 280, than any other side in the competition, they also scored the most tries, 37, and conceded the least, 17. Also the tournament’s top two try scorers on 6 tries each (Sampson / Turner), as well as the joined third try scorers on 4 tries each (Christians / Hopward) include four of the speedy Ikey wingers.

It has been a tough weekend and the Ikeys will be delighted to have their home semi-final booked vs Pukke on Monday the 31st – make sure you support the boys on the Green Mile at 14.30.

Ikey Tigers vs Shimlas:
1 Wesley Chetty, 2 Mark Goosen, 3 Dylan Rogers, 4 Martin Miller, 5 Donovan Armand, 6 Luzuko Panya, 7 Monty Taljaard, 8 JJ Gagiano
(captain)
9 Kyle WIckens, 10 Peter Haw, 11 Marvin Christians, 12 Andre Coetzer, 13 James Martin, 14 Justin Bijl, 15 Rob Hopwood

Reserves: Bradford Gornall, Ashley Wells, Dane
Galley, Mzotando Simani, Danie van der Merwe, Sean van Tonder, Marcelo Sampson