Ikeys lose Stellenbosch thriller

UCT went down narrowly to Maties, losing 28:33 in Coetzenberg on Saturday in a thrilling and even contest. 

UCT led 18-16 at half-time, but their inability to breach the Maties defence worked against them as they managed just one try on the day.

The Men in Maroon, on the other hand, scored four tries, with two going to hooker Rob Herring who is proving to be something of a try-scoring machine this season.

The game was a feast for spectators as it did not take place inside the Danie Craven Stadium, but rather on one of the practice fields which invited viewers to get a frontseat view of the game on the sidelines. (The main stadium was not in use due to preparations being done for the Junior World Cup which starts on June 4.)

With early penalties exchanged by both sides flyhalves, UCT managed to get a 9-3 lead until the first try was scored, where André Kemp popped a high ball only for the safe hands of Ryan Nell to catch it. Quick recycled ball sped through the hands to be met by fullback Jarryd Buys to dot down in the corner.

However, the Ikeys still maintained their hard earned-lead as Kemp was unable to slot the conversion from touch.

The lead changed hands twice after that as UCT slotted some more penalties and Maties managed a penalty themselves, as well as a driving maul from a line-out. But UCT flyhalf Ross Jones-Davies was in sensational kicking form as he put over six consecutive penalties to give UCT the half-time lead at 18-16.

It took some time for the first points of the second half to come, but after a failed line-out and drive, Maties got a penalty where Kemp spotted winger Nell standing by himself on the wing and took initiative by popping a precise cross-kick for 'Whitey' to cross over. Kemp made no mistake with the conversion this time as Maties took the lead at a crucial stage of the match.

Maties then scored again shortly after with a successful line-out drive only for Rob Herring to score. Kemp then slotted a penalty and suddenly, almost out of nowhere, Maties had gained a 33-21.

With the crowd wondering when the second half – and, thus, the match – was going to meet its end, UCT scored a scintillating try, arguably the best of the day, as a quick tap deep in their half and promising hands amongst numerous players allowed outside centre Damian de Allende to dot down underneath the posts.

With the score at 33-28 in Maties' favour, and not much time left on the clock, there was a huge sense of restlessness amongst the crowd. It didn't help the Maties supporters that the kick was directly out after the restart.

But the Maties forwards earned the victory, as they managed a tighthead on the 50m line – leaving flyhalf Kemp to boot the ball in touch.

Special mention must be made to UCT flyhalf, Ross Jones-Davies, who was quite brilliant with the boot landing eight from eight kicks at goal.

The UCT U20 Trojans also went down narrowly following an epic tussle – 22:30, with the young Maties denying the UCT students a bonus point. Both the UCT Eagles and the 3rd XV, Ish Dramat Wolves lost 6:36 and 0:45 respectively to strong Maties sides. 

Congratulations to 2011 Ikeys and 2012 Vodacom Cup winning WP captain Nick Fenton Wells on making his Stormers debut tonight, coming on as a replacement alongside fellow club stalwart Don Armand. 

UCT will host Maties for the 2012 Intervarsity in September on the Green Mile. 

For FNB UCT:

Try: De Allende

Con: Jones-Davies

Pens: Jones-Davies 7

FNB Ikey TIgers:

15. Liam Bax 14. Nathan Nel 13. Damian De Allende 12. Adrian Kritzinger 11. Paul Cohen 10. Ross Jones-Davies 9. Rick Schreuder 8. Rayn Smid  7.James Tatham 6. JJ Gagiano 5. Levi Odendaal 4. James Kilroe 3. Christopher Heiberg 2. Neil Rautenbach 1. Wesley Chetty



Replacements: 16. Mathew Page 17. Shane Meier 18. Digby Webb 19. West MacIntosh 20.  Josh Katzen 21. Stephen Wallace 22. Nicholas Walton

FNB Maties: 15 Jarryd Buys, 14 Ryan Nell, 13 Mark Hodgskiss, 12 Morgan Newman, 11 Danie Roux, 10 André Kemp, 9 Gideon Strydom, 8 Erik van Zyl, 7 Helmut Lehman (captain), 6 Sam Mabombo, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Reniel Hugo, 3 Os Hamman, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Alistair Vermaak.

Replacements: 16 Arno White, 17 Brummer Badenhorst, 18 Johan Roets, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Lampies Lamprecht, 21 Gerhard Jordaan, 22 Louis Jordaan.

SATURDAY 26 MAY 2012