Maties score as Stemmet soars

The University of Stellenbosch, with impressive centre Jean Stemmet in sublime form, retained their unbeaten record in the FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International, when they beat the University of Johannesburg 29-14 at the Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, on Monday.

Dominating the first half, with the Johannesburg students' poor handling a major contributing factor, the Maties managed a comfortable 16-8 lead. And this lead was thanks to a brilliant try by Stemmet.

The Stellenbosch student also had a clear edge in the scrums, while their tackling often drove the visitors back. Added to that there was the near flawless kicking game by scrumhalf Donald Stevens - who not only landed two conversions and five penalties, for a personal contribution of 19 points, but his tactical kicking was equally impressive.

Other Stellenbosch players who had strong games include No.8 Morné Hanekom, flank Wesley Wilkens (who was also the captain) and replacement hooker Matthew Dobson.

The Johannesburg team's fullback, Earl Lewis, always looked dangerous with the ball in hand, but his kicking game let him down - with a number of his kicks charged down.

Two early Stevens penalties made it 6-0, before UJ flyhalf Andre Smit closed the gap to 6-3 with a penalty of his own.

Another Stevens penalty and then a great try by Stemmet - when flyhalf Coenie van Wyk put through a great chip and Stemmet's great support play saw him round off the move - put the home team into a strong 16-3 lead.

UJ got back into the game with a try by Edrich van Tonder - coming after the flyhalf, Smit, showed great hands and then a neat chip. That made it 16-8 at the half-time break.

The crucial score came just after the break. A break by Stemmet put the captain, Wesley Wilkens, clear, but he was caught just short of the line. Maties kept up the pressure and the reward came in the form of a try for the impressive replacement hooker, Dobson. Stevens' conversion made it 23-8.

Two penalties by replacement Arno Coetzee narrowed the gap to 23-14, but Stevens shut out the game with two penalties of his own to make the final score 29-14.

Scorers:

Maties:
Tries: Stemmet, Dobson
Cons: Stevens 2
Pens: Stevens 5

UJ:
Try: Van Tonder
Pens: Smit, Coetzee 2