THE UCT First Rugby VX reaffirmed their claim as serious contenders for the Western Province Super League A title when they defeated Villagers at the latter's homeground at Brookside on June 1 by 27–19, this after being down 0–19 after the first 30 minutes.

The team displayed some grit and determination, but Villagers took first blood with a goal in the first minute of the match. They extended their lead to 19–0 after half an hour.

A try by UCT's Khaya Sontsele and a conversion by Grant Kolesky late in the first half added some respectability to the interval score (7–19), however.

Early in the second half, Richard Neville added a valuable five points to the UCT tally (12–19). A Kolesky penalty made further inroads into the Villagers lead (15–19). Gary Skeeles then popped over the Villagers tryline to give UCT the lead for the first time in the match (20–19), and Kolesky converted to take the score to 22–19.

John Bradshaw added insult to Villagers' injury when he scored a stunning try to settle the game at 27–19.

The remarkable victory over Villagers and a 31–7 defeat of Bellville Tech on May 25 has now secured the UCT side third place on the Western Province log, two points behind Tygerberg and 10 behind leaders Stellenbosch. But the Maties must be nervous at this stage and very aware of the UCT squad's excellent run of form so far this season.

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