Ikeys claim victory in clash with Udubs

FNB UCT kicked off the 2019 Varsity Cup season with a nail-biting 32–24 victory over Cape rivals FNB UWC at the Green Mile on Monday, 4 February.

The match got off to a slow start with no points on the scoreboard for either side by the first strategy break. That soon changed when FNB UCT’s winger Tumi Mogoje scored the home side’s first try, and a converted kick by Darian Hock took the score to 7–0. FNB UWC hit back in quick succession and levelled the score to 7–7, thanks to a try by Kurt-Lee Arendse.

At halftime, the Ikeys had secured a firm seven-point lead over Udubs. However, the home side took a knock when their captain, Nama Xaba, left the field with an ankle injury in the 46th minute, and Udubs grabbed the opportunity to equalise the score.

Soon thereafter the Ikeys took the lead once more, but Udubs responded with a converted try and a penalty kick in the 63rd minute – snatching a one-point lead. But the UWC team’s lead was short lived, and the home crowd erupted when Simon Raw crossed the line with a 7-point try, taking the lead from the visiting side.

The final score was 32–24 to the Ikey Tigers.