'Disappointed' Dobson looks ahead

John Dobson was disappointed with FNB UCT's 30-30 draw against the Shimlas in Varsity Cup action this past Monday, but the Ikey Tigers head coach is already hard at work in a bid to rectify his team's errors ahead of next week's meeting with Pukke.

A Doug Mallett penalty goal in injury-time rescued the draw for UCT, the Men from Cape Town having clawed their way back into an absorbing contest on more than one occasion; having trailed Shimlas 13-25 and 20-30 at times in the second half.

"I think as a team we were all very disappointed with our performance," Dobson told varsitycup.co.za. "We certainly did not play to the level we expected - albeit against a good Shimlas side.

"To be kicking for a draw, to my mind, was a concession of defeat in a game where we were one point down with a gale behind our backs (and) with 38 minutes to go - that's a match that one should be looking to win," he added.

"[But] that said, to give away 60-metre and 80m breakaway tries (well done to their No.6 for an outstanding run in his try!) with the wind at our backs, means we probably did not deserve to win."

Looking ahead to next week - when the Ikeys host FNB Pukke at the Green Mile - Dobson is aware that his charges need to up their game across the board; especially as last year's finalists were full value in their 35-24 Round One win over Tuks in Pretoria.

"We also missed a few one-on-one tackles against Shimlas, our breakdown was not at our usual level either... and I need to make some changes to our attack structure," said the Ikeys mentor.

"We are a better side than Monday suggests and I hope it (our performance) was a once-off."

By James Kingston