Ikeys lose to Hamiltons

UCT 18:30 Hamiltons
It was an improved performance by the young Ikeys, but losing the game in the last 10 minutes, with no log points for their efforts will be little consolation. The scores were tied 18:18 in the last quarter, when Hamiltons managed to pile on the pressure and produce 12 unanswered points.  

The UCT 1^st’s were keen to
rectify last weeks surprising loss against Dur-Bell with a side that looked
much like the successful Varsity Cup Team. Contrast to UCT’s team was the Hamiltons’ 1^st
XV whom contained a number of Ex-provincial, national and UCT players.

The match started with Hamilton’s storming
after a kick-off taken by their flyhalf Jaco Weideman. UCT gathered the
kick-off and was immediately subjected to the Physicality of the Hamiltons’ pack. After
a few bone crunching phases UCT were forced to relinquish a penalty. Hamiltons opted for a kick at
goal, and drew first blood with a three pointer. UCT managed to strike back quickly when after 5 minutes they were
awarded a penalty 35 metres from the try line. UCT number 10 Matthew Rosslee’s
kick cleared the posts comfortably and the scores were even. 5 minutes later
Matthew Rosslee converted another penalty taking UCT into the lead. After 18
minutes and continuous pressure Hamiltons worked there way up to the UCT try line through a number of phases.
The Hamis scrumhalf Pierre Cronje took advantage of the close proximity to the
try line dummied a UCT defender and dove ball first over a ruck to score. The
try was converted by Jano van Zyl to regain Hamis the lead. UCT were not eager
to be shown up at the breakdown by the older side and fought back for the rest
of the half and converted another two penalties. Thus the half time score was
12 – 10 to UCT.

The second half started in a similar
fashion to the 1^st, with Hamiltons trying to
keep the game to the tight phases and not allow UCT the opportunity to stretch
their legs. This meant that the point scoring opportunities for both teams were limited and with 20 minutes played the only points scored in the second half
were a penalty to each side – the score was tied at 18all and whoever was going to score next, was likely to win the game. Then after many pick and go phases from Hamis, a
forward managed to cross the goal line, the try was awarded and the conversion added.

5 minutes later Hamis scored
another try of which the conversion was missed. Havng fallen behind UCT tried
to hold onto possession and run the ball for the majority of the remaining
game. Unfortunately the Ikeys were unable to cross the goal line, being only metres
short. Thus the final score stood at UCT 18 Hamiltons 30.

For UCT Matt Rosslee had a great day with the boot and Monty Taljaard stood out on the flank. Apart from one or two crucial mistakes, UCT’s game was much improved to last week, with the defense very strong in particlular, Hammies didn’t manage any linebreaks.

Again, the Ikeys will have to re-group quickly but next Wednesday’s fixture vs Victorians should be a night of running Rugby, that will do the trick in quickly bringing back the magic the team produced in the Varsity Cup. 

UCT currently have to do without two of their forwards who are away on international duty. Martin Miller is touring France with the SA U21 squad and Bodo Sieber is playing for Germany in the European Nations Cup. 

Ikey Tigers:
1. Vakai Hove, 2. Mark Goosen , 3 Dylan Rodgers, 4. Mike Ledwidge,
5 Don Armand, 6 Monty Taljaard, 7. Graig Kleu, 8 Jody Burch (c), 9 Kyle
Wickens, 10 Matthew Rosslee, 11 James Martin, 12 Sean van Tonder,
13 Tim Whitehead, 14 Marcello Sampson, 15 Matthew Turner

Reserves:
16
JP Koster, 17 Herbert Mayosi, 18 Enoch Panya, 19 Kyle Brown, 20 Danie
van der Merwe, 21 Pieter Engelbrecht

Logs, week three
Note, UCT have a game in hand.

FNB MATIES            15
HAMILTONS             13
VILLAGER                10
MSP DURB-BELL       9
STEINHOFF VICS       6
HELDERBERG           5
SK WALMERS           5
MR PRICE T/BERG     1
FNB UCT                    1
NNK     NNK               0