UWC edge Ikeys in Plate thriller

The Ikeys 7s team, were denied the Varsity Sports Sevens Plate after a nailbiting 17-19 loss over Cape rivals UWC in Margate on Saturday.

Both teams scored three tries in an entertaining affair played on the heavy and wet field, but a missed conversion from UCT in extra time means that UWC were the ones lifting the silverware.

The Ikeys took control early on when their captain Mark Winter made a telling break up the right touchline, and he found good support from Storm Winter who slid over for the first try.

UWC wasted little time in responding when a well-placed tactical kick put them deep inside opposition territory. The ball was worked out to Donovan Williams who forced his way over for the try which squared things at 7-7.

The muddy conditions was making handling a challenge for both sides, but UCT showed good skills to send the ball wide to Olwethu Hans who dived over in the left corner for a try which gave his team a 12-5 advantage at the half-time break.

UWC refused to lie down and came out hard in the second half. Their determination paid off when Frederick Muller burst through to score, and his conversion put UWC 14-12 ahead with just three minutes left.

Another try from Enrico Cloete seemed to have things wrapped up from UWC, but the Ikeys managed to get over for a try which would have levelled the scores in dramatic fashion had the easy kick gone over.

The Ikeys ended up competing in the Plate final in both Plett and Margate, but silverware was not to be this season. Last week’s Plate final opposition UFS Kovsies had an excellent Margate leg and beat Maties in the Cup round and in the Cup final to claim the Varsity Sports Margate 7s trophy.

Maties having won last week in Plett and featuring in the final again, walked away with the overall Varsity Sports 7s trophy.

Overall standings:
1. Maties 22
2. NWU-Pukke 17
3. UFS Kovsies 16
4. UP-Tuks 16
5. NMMU 12
6. UJ 12
7. UWC 9
8. UCT Ikeys 6
9. TUT 4
10. Limpopo 2