Eight-try blitz for Ikeys in second Varsity Cup match

Ball brawl: The Ikey Tigers more than matched Tukkies' physicality during last night's FNB Varsity Cup match at UCT. The Ikeys came away with a decisive 55-24 win. Their next match is an away game against the University of Johannesburg at 18h45 on 3 March

The Ikey Tigers blew away their opposition in the FNB Varsity Cup on Monday night, running in eight tries against a hapless-looking Tukkies (University of Pretoria).

The final score, 55-24, reflected a significant improvement on last week's nervous start, when varsity went down 17-23 to Pukke (North-West University).

Speaking before the match, coach John Dobson told MC Dan Nicholl: "Today is the day."

It certainly was. Imposing winger "Marvellous Marvin" Christians scored four times as varsity were full of running, mixing it up and varying their play to keep Tukkies on the back foot. Without the notorious Southeaster to contend with, the Ikeys added a strategic edge to their game with some deft kicking. Alas, they're still missing too many penalties and conversions.

But that didn't bother upbeat supporters. A good crowd turned up on a balmy late afternoon. Was it the rugby or the wafting aromas from the boerewors braai? A trio of cheerleaders introduced a new brand of rugby haute couture at the match.

With the game wrapped and sealed early in the second half, the Ikeys got a little sloppy towards the end, letting in Tukkies for an easy last-gasp try.

Perhaps they just couldn't keep their eyes off that scoreboard.

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