Fort Hare too strong for UWC

The University of Fort Hare beat the University of the Western Cape 31-6 in their exhibition match, at the start of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, on Monday.

Fort Hare went into the match with a slight mental advantage, having beaten UWC 17-16 at the University Sport South Africa (USSA) games in July 2008.

The coaching compliment of UWC were positive ahead of the clash despite having limited preparation time - with coach Shamiel Boer making a contradictory statement before the game saying his team aimed to play traditional student rugby, but with no risks.

Both teams were eager to give the ball air which resulted in some attractive passages in the opening 15 minutes, but this period was also littered with handling errors which illustrated the sides lack of preparation time for the match.

UFH dominated the tight exchanges throughout the game which put the UWC backs on the backfoot and they struggled to gain any sort of momentum as a result.

UFH opened the scoring as flank Toto Tsholo linked well with the backs to score under the uprights, with Andisa Gcoba adding the conversion to give the Eastern Cape institution a 7-0 lead.

With UFH gradually dominating the possession stakes they started to spread the UWC defence, which spawned their second five-pointer as Khaya Makinana crossed the whitewash, after a lovely run by wing Melisizwe Sandi.

Gcoba added the extras but a shell-shocked UWC hit back with two penalties through fullback Johan Hendricks to reduce the deficit to eight points at the half-time break.

UFH got the second half off to a flying start as replacement Malobongwe Guutshane gassed the UWC defence to go over in the corner to give UFH a 19-6 lead two minutes into the second half.

UWC continued to produce unstructured play and they also failed to capitalise on a number of very kickable penalties.

UFH put the game beyond doubt with their fourth try through scrumhalf Ntando Kebe after some enterprising play between forwards and backs.

With the clock winding down, centre Bongani Matutu wrapped up the game with his side's fifth score which he converted as well to give UFH a convincing 31-6 victory

The Scorers:

University of the Western Cape
Pens: Hendricks 2

University of Forte Hare
Tries: Tsholo, Makinana, Guutshane, Kebe, Matutu
Cons: Gcoba 2, Matutu

Teams:

UWC: 15 Johan Hendricks, 14 Clement Trout, 13 Lerico Cloete, 12 Adrian Herman, 11 Marcus Simons, 10 Justin Koopman, 9 Brandon Titus, 8 Denzil Carelse, 7 Lincoln Jacobs, 6 Jerome (Bolo) Ruiters, 5 Stephan Carelse, 4 Mervyn Davids, 3 TJ Herman, 2 Ashley Felix, 1 Carlo Jacobs
Replacements: 16 Ricardo Marcus, 17 Jeluca Williams, 18 Franklin Esua, 19 Suphamandla (Spa) Made, 20 Palston Sukers, 21 Reagan Rademeyer, 22 Bradwell Human

UFH: 15 Qondani Katywa, 14 Melisizwe Sandi, 13 Bongani Matutu, 12 Luthando Mkhwelo, 11 Ntamina Sakhisizwe, 10 Andisa Gqoba, 9 Ntando Kebe, 8 Khaya Makinana, 7 Lumumba Currie (captain), 6 Toto Tsholo, 5 Tsabadira Senoge, 4 Itumeleng Mokae, 3 Xolisa Mapapu, 2 Vuyisa Mavuso, 1 Thobelo Damana.
Replacements: 16 Khwezi Mkhafu, 17 Vido Mbucela, 18 Sandile Buthelezi, 19 Thando Ndondo, 20 Buntu Ntanzi, 21 Magele Lukhanyiso, 22 Malobongwe Guutshane.

Referee: Quinton Immelman