It was a classic Intervarsity between Maties and Ikeys at Coetzenburg stadium on Wednesday night in the end it was there to be won by the Ikey Tigers, but a last move kick from the touchline sailed just wide off the uprights and Maties triumphed 28:27. 

Rivalry doesn't get bigger than that of the Blue and White and the Maroon – dating back to 1911 and Wednesday night's game had all the drama, the passion and the flair that would make both fans and former players of either club proud. 

The Ikey Tigers were lead by a new skippe,r after Richard Steward was handed the reins and the experienced winger managed to help inspire a team that included no fewer than seven 20 year olds. 

Maties took their chance first going up 7:0 after the teams had seized one another up with some early pressure. Then it was some slick play by UCT that saw flyhalf Ross Jones Davies glide through to dot down under the posts and convert his own try to pull level at 7:7. 

Skipper Richard Steward was next in line to put the Ikeys in front for the first time after Maties had converted a penalty. Tiger Bax played a clever chip and Steward was there to pounce on the ball and move up 12:10. 

The Maties of course are also no strangers to giving the ball some air and executed an perfect draw and pass through many hands to send over the last man out wide to regain the lead. 

The Ikeys marched a maul 20m down field which was eventually pulled down which resulted in a 3 pointer by Jones Davies. 23:15 was the half time score and a thrilling second half awaited the brave supporters in the stands. 

Both sides stuck with their intent to attack, but it took until the final quarter of the match for the score to change, when Maties pulled ahead 28:15. 

Then, with the odds stacked against never say die Ikeys put their magic man Tiger Bax in the limelight when the center ran a fantastic line to finish a great individual try. 

It wouldn't be an Intervarsity if things didn't go down to the wire and in true from UCT scored with the last move to make it 27:28 and set up a kick on the touchline to possibly claim a great victory. But the fat lady was wearing maroon that evening and the kick went just wide. 

A great game of rugby and despite the disappointment, this was a brilliant result for coach JJ Gagiano and his young side. 

Director of rugby Kevin Musikanth was suitably proud: "For this young side to put themselves into a position to win this game was excellent and JJ has done extremely well with the guys". 

Maties captain Helmut Lehman was humble in victory and commented: "Tough intervarsity clash last night at the Danie Craven. Ikey Tigers played very well to give themselves a shot at a win." 

UCT Eagles drew with their counterparts and the thirds lost 7:36, while the U20's went down heavily 0:52. 

The Ikeys now face the tough assigment of playing Belhar away at Accordion Park this Saturday. The team will be announced following the Friday night captain's run. 

Ikey Tigers team vs Maties

1. Joel Carew, 2. Michael Kennedy, 3. Deacon Chowles 4. Bradley Bosman, 5. James Kilroe, 6. Jason Klaasen, 7. Kyle Kriel, 8. Vincent Jobo, 9. Liam Slatem, 10. Ross Jones Davies, 11. Lihleli Xoli, 12. Tiger Bax, 13. Dylan Sage, 14. Richard Stewart, 15. Luke Bax,

Reserves:
16. Neil Rautenbach, 17. Wesley Chetty, 18. Jade Kriel, 19. Tinodenda Zakeyo, 20. Dylan Frylinck, 21. Andre Coetzer, 22. Tom Bednall.

WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST 2013

FRIDAY 23 AUGUST 2013

SATURDAY 24 AUGUST 2013