Ikeys lose, but accomplish ‘mission home semi final’

 
Rematch – Sampson scores in 2008! UCT Ikey Tigers will host Pukke in the 2009 Varsity Cup semi final
Ikeys lost a tight affair against Pukke, North West University in Potchefstroom – 17:13, but take home a bonus point and most importantly claim the HOME SEMI Final next Monday.

UCT had the better of the lineouts, Pukke dominated the scrums and both teams showed off their very accurate and quick attacking game. The score was tied 10:10 at half time, as was possession.

The Ikeys were never in danger of going home empty handed and allowing Pukke a four try bonus point, which would have meant a home semi final for the men from the North and another tough trip for the Tigers.

UCT will now host their Northern rivals in an all or nothing re-match of last years Semi Final on Monday 23rd March.

The Ikeys were a bit sleepy in the opening 15 and Pukke quickly put on pressure with a penalty.  Shortly after their winger crossed the line for what looked like a definite try, but he fumpled on the ground. It was Pukke who scored again, witha  great try by their no8 and captain, who ran in from 40 meters out, after a well played short lineout. 10:0 to the hosts.

The Ikeys, were now waking up and Rosslee slotted a penalty to make it 10:3. As so often it would be one of the UCT wingers who found his way over the line, this time it was Marvin Christians who raced down teh touchline after a fumbled line-out to make it 10:8, with Rosslee adding the tricky extras for a 10:10 halftime score.

Pukke started the second half like they did the first one, like a house in fire. They kicked penalties to touch, rather than going for points and were rewarded with well worked forwards try off a 5 meter line-out. The conversion was added to make the score 17:10.

Both teams played some good rugby now, Pukke dominant in the scrums and UCT looking dangerous whenever they got the smallest of breaks, but neither team came close to scoring. The Tigers had the last say with a Rosslee penalty in the 77th minute to make it 17:13.

UCT now host Pukke in a cracking home semi final on the Green Mile next Monday.

Meanwhile in Coetzeberg, Tuks climbed their must win mountain and beat Maties away 25:23 to book their semi final spot, away in Stellenbosch next week.

UCT Scorers:
Try: Marvin Christians
Kicks: 2 penalies, 1 Conversion

UCT Ikey Tigers: 15 Therlow Pietersen, 14 Marvin Christians, 13 Tiger Bax, 12 Pieter Engelbrecht, 11 Peter Haw, 10 Matt Rosslee, 9 Stuart Commins, 8 JJ Gagiano (captain), 7 Enoch Panya, 6 Nick Fenton-Wells, 5 Donovan Armand, 4 Michael Passaportis, 3 Shane Meier, 2 Dayne Jans, 1 Dylan Rogers.
Replacements: 16 Mark Goosen, 17 Ashley Wells, 18 Dane Galley, 19 Kuselo Moyake, 20 Kyle Wickins 21 Mike Nel, 22 Dane Johnson.

Head coach: John Dobson
Assistant coach: Robbie Fleck