UCT go down to Vics

The Ikeys paid the price for disrupted weeks of training and changes in their teams when the visiting Victorians beat all three senior sides in the final friendly fixtures on the Green Mile on Saturday.

UCT A were in the game for 20 minutes against an experienced Vics / Maties team, taking the ball through the phases and showing some gutsy tackles and turn overs. Then silly mistakes cost them dearly as Vics scored twice in quick succession to make it 21:7 after 25 minutes. The students struggled to regain their composure and Vics scored another brace of tries to run away to a hefty half time score.

The Ikeys had scored via Ollie Braithwaite who showed great determination to power through several defenders close to the line and they played an excellent move going the whole width of the field twice that Craig Kleu finished in the corner.

Too many mistakes and poor communication made the Vics look good and run in tries as they wished so the half time score was a dissappointing 42:14.

UCT who regained their composure in the second half, were more organised and looked after the ball. Herbie Mayosie who had a strong showing at Tighthead, got yellow carded 15minutes into the half for repeated ruck infringement but UCT showed some guts and managed a score being a man down after Kyle Wickins darted through a gap off a ruck in the Vics 22.

Vics struck back with a try, but UCT were leading 7:5 at least in this half. That is until the very last minute, when Henoe Stoffberg played a quick tap penalty and managed to offload to a supporter who crashed over to take the score to the 50s.

Maties showed their immense depth in dramatic fashion and the Ikeys know they have plenty of work to do. The Varsity Cup team will now merge with the rest of the 1st team contenders and will make the next two weeks count to be ready for the challenge of a strong Durbanville Bellville side that hosts the students in their first Super League fixture on Saturday 18th of April.

UCT scorers:
Braithwaite, Kleu, Wickens

Kicks:
Southy, Braithwaite

UCT A:
1. Vakai ‘Fish” Hove, 2. Chris Darby, 3. Herbert Mayosi, 4. Pallo Manuel, 5. Bodo Sieber (c), 6. Koselo Moyiake 7. Craig Kleu, 8. Dayne Galley, 9. Kyle Wickins 10. Oliver Braithwaite, 11. Lorenzo Southy, 12. Andre Coetzer, 13. Justin Bijl, 14. Robert Hopwood, 15. Pete Haw

Reserves: 16. Dane “Danger” Jans, 17. Wesley Chetty, 18. Graham Knoop, 19. Mzoi Simani, 20. Xhanti Nesi, 21. Philip Taberer, 22. Emslie

Saturday 28th March, on the Green Mile