Tuks pay dearly for mistake
It was a must-win game for both teams, but Shimlas were the better rounded team and scored four tries to beat Tukkies 27-23 in their FNB Varsity Cup match presented by Steinhoff International, at LC de Villiers on Monday night.
The defeat puts an end to Tukkies' 2010 semifinal hopes, whilst Shimlas and UJ will fight it out in Round Seven next week to see who joins the Maties, Ikeys and Pukke in the play-offs.
Shimlas attacked from the first whistle and 10 minutes later, when Tuks' hooker Robbie Coetzee was sin-binned after killing the ball, Shimlas got their reward when they scored the first try of the mach form the ensuing penalty lineout.
That try activated Tukkies. They attacked from the restart and two minutes later captain and flyhalf Shaun Davids scored behind the posts. Gert Smith levelled the scores with the conversion.
These two tries provided the spark to set the game alight and from then onwards the crowd saw exciting running rugby throughout.
However, the difference between the two teams was that Tukkies were sloppy in their execution and finishing and simply couldn't round off their attacks. Shimlas, on the other hand, were clinical and improved further as the game progressed - and made ample use of Tukkies' mistakes.
Tukkies clearly had the stronger pack, but they struggled to use this to their advantage.
The second yellow card of the game came against Shimlas seven minutes before half time when lock Wilken Heyns tackled a man without using his hands. But the Men from Bloemfontein nevertheless went into attacking mode and scored their second try with only 14 men on the field.
Tuks struggled to get their share of possession, and a minute before half-time Shimlas scored again - adding 12 points with a player in the bin.
The two sides went into half-time with Shimlas 19-13 to the good after Tukkies had added two penalties by fullback Smith.
In the second half Tukkies started with renewed vigour, but unlike their opponents in the first half they just couldn't breach the outstanding Shimlas defence.
They had to wait till halfway through the second half for their next try, again scored by Shaun Davids - but the try by Shimlas left wing Beast Ndwandwa after another turnover from Tuks saw the visitors retain their grip on the game with a 24-20 lead
It was all done and dusted despite Tukkies throwing everything into their attack, and two penalties - one from each side - completed proceedings.
The scorers:
For FNB Tukkies:
Tries: Davids 2
Cons: Smith 2
Pens: Smith 3
For FNB Shimlas:
Tries: Prinsloo, Erwee, Stevens, Ndwandwa
Cons: Erwee 2
Pen: Erwee
The teams:
Tuks: 15 Shaun Davids (captain), 14 Dirk Dippenaar, 13 Ernie Kruger, 12 Gertjie Smith, 11 Tom Seabela, 10 Stanley Twiname, 9 Ettiene Greeff, 8 Dan Nichols, 7 Tendaiyi Chikukwa, 6 Marius Weber, 5 Francois van Wyk, 4 Tiaan Nel, 3 Peet Vorster, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Corné Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Chris Crous, 17 Musa Tukela, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Oswin Mentoor, 20 Wesleigh Marais, 21 Terrence Jacobs, 22 Justin van Staden, 23 Hein Viljoen.
Shimlas: 15 Reinhardt Erwee, 14 Divandré Strydom, 13 Earl Snyman, 12 Wayne Stevens (captain), 11 Beast Ndwandwa, 10 Jaco Colyn, 9 Gerrie Odendaal, 8 Boom Prinsloo, 7 Chris Dry, 6 Sybrand Mostert, 5 Wilken Heyns, 4 Joubert Horn, 3 Ian Potgieter, 2 Hans Grobler, 1 Charles Marais.
Replacements: 16 Gert Erasmus, 17 Marcel van der Merwe, 18 Lebo Zietsman, 19 Gerrit Theron, 20 Marlin Ruiters, 21 Johan van Schalkwyk, 22 Jamba Ulengo, 23 Johnny Harris.
Referee: Mlungiseli Mdashe