Ikeys get ready for Maties clash

Ready to run hard at the Maties – Ikeys loosie Craig Kleu, in action against Saracens

UCT are hosting arch rivals Maties on Friday night in what promises to be a humdinger for all the teams involved. The UCT U20A1 Trojans have won their league, watching from a distance, as Hamiltons managed to do them a favour and beat Maties U20 to deny them the points needed to challenge the young UCT team on Friday night. (Photo Peter van As)

The Trojans will want to finish with a bang and claim another Maties scalp to cap off their dominant display this season. The UCT Eagles, the passionate 2nd XV may still be in the running for a league challenge and will go all out on their Green Mile farewell for 2009. Both teams kick-of at 18:30.

The UCT Ikey Tigers are in for a major rugby celebration, when they take on old foes Maties at 19.45. Both teams are set firmly 2nd and 3rd in the log and nothing will change as far as those positions goes. Maties coach Chean Roux, as well as UCT coach Kevin Foote have indicated they are looking to play expansive rugby and really want their teams to finish the season with a bang. 

The team welcome back coach John Dobson who has completed a 4 week reccie to Italy’s Roma club – he was not going to miss the Maties clash for the world.

UCT are fielding a strong side, despite being a bit thin in the lose forward department. Regular flank Nick Fenton Wells is out injured, as is the excellent new kid Sam Peter. Stalwards Jody Burch and JJ Gagiano are plying their trade for SWD and in Italy and Enoch Panya is making a name for himself in the Currie Cup at Eastern Province – to complete the list of unavailable Ikeys talent, flanks Mpho Mbyiozo and Kyle Brown are tied into their SA Sevens commitments and travel to Namibia this weekend.

Further injuries of 1st XV proven loosies Dane Galley and Kuselo Moyake have opened an opportunity for acting UCT coach Kevin Foote to take the field. The former Sharks and SA Sevens player, who can play center, but by his own admission loves the physicality of being a flank forward, will pack down on the openside, with big Craig Kleu and Don Armand completing the loose trio.

The team also welcomes back hard running center Sean van Tonder and scrumhalf JP Robert who will be looking for some game time after an injury. Hooker Mark Goosen is also back in the mix and will pack down with Ash Wells and Dylan Rogers in the front row.

// quick reminder to everyone who hasn’t booked their ticket for the 2009 Players Dinner yet – do it here www.uctrfc.co.za/dinner – Friday 2nd of October is the day.

likely UCT Ikey Tigers team
15 Therlow Pieterson, 14 Marcello Sampson / James Martin / Peter Haw, 13 Dave Edgar 12 Sean van Tonder  11 Dave Clayton, 10 Matthew Rosslee (VC) 9  Stu Commins, 8 Craig Kleu, 7 Don Armand 6 Kevin Foote, 5 Michael Passaportis, 4 Bodo Sieber (captain), 3 Dylan Rogers, 2 Mark Goosen, 1 Ashley Wells.

Replacements: 16 Wes Chetty / Matt Page, 17  Stephen Knoop, 18 Graham Knoop  20, Doug Mallet 21 James Martin / Peter Haw 22, JP Robert