UCT log-jam to be eased?

UCT's Steinhoff Internal League resumes this week for the last round of fixtures before the students head into exams and holidays. Wednesday's games will leave all teams with their final standings for Stage One and give us an idea of just where the 2009 competition is going.

In a game that should prove interesting, Ubumbo take on Clarendon.

Like Marquad, Clarendon have had some good wins over established sides though, unlike Marquad they have shown good consistency in their last two games, whereas Marquad have dropped the ball somewhat since their win over Panthers.

Both Ubumbo and Clarendon have two wins from two over the Spanners and the Turtles and both sides will be going all out for top spot of Group D.

Ubumbo are known for their attacking rugby, whereas Clarendon have played a good territory game using structures to accumulate points and then their flyhalf to put the ball downfield. It should be interesting to see which style triumphs on the night with the weather report perhaps favouring the more expansive game of Ubumbo.

In what should be one of the best games of the week in terms of a close, hard-fought game, Spanners will take on the Turtles.

Both sides have been involved in some close losses this season and their players will feel that they have not fully hit their stride yet. As such, both sides will be going out with a point to prove which should make for a truly entertaining spectacle.

I feel that Turtles probably have more in the tank to take the overall victory, but the game should be close and provide spectators with some thrilling moments.

The Panthers boys will be watching with interest from the sidelines as Marquad face up to Ikhaya to decide who claims second spot in Group A behind Nadoes.

Panthers and Nadoes have played their three games of Stage One already, with the Nadoes assured of top spot and Panthers currently in second position with five points. Placing third could potentially be disastrous for Panthers as they will then face up against stronger opposition in the second group stage, leaving their title challenge under pressure.

For Marquad this game could be one of the most important of their season as an easier stage two group will provide a strong launch pad for an assault on the cup this year and a high finish.

With so much on the line it will make for a very interesting fixture as it is possible, though unlikely, that Ikhaya could win by a big margin and leapfrog both teams into second by a bonus point and point's difference.

Another potentially close fixture will be when Shebeen Boys face up to Smuts on the C Field.

This is another game that will decide second place, this time of Group B and Smuts have shown they have the potential to make that dream a reality.

Smuts have actually shown some very good form this year with a side that is stronger than in previous years particularly in their backline and loose trio.

Shebeen Boys, on the other hand, have struggled in the forwards and were woefully exposed on that front against the Baa-baas who walked over their scrum with ease.

They do, however, have a very talented flyhalf in Chris Rood who can get the ball moving through the backline and - as he showed against the Baa-baas - pull off a few moments of individual magic.

Nullifying Rood should be high on Smuts to-do list and the first step will be forward domination at rucks and scrum time. If they can do that then Shebeen will have lost its most potent weapon.

Full fixtures:
Wildboys v Kopano
Shebeen v Smuts
Ubumbo v Clarendon
Cobras v College
Spanners v Turtles
Marquad v Ikhaya
Baa-baas v University House

By Rory Holmes