UJ end on a high
The University of Johannesburg (FNB UJ) recorded an impressive 36-10 win over FNB NMMU in Port Elizabeth on Monday, but it was not enough for them to win a place in the 2009 Varsity Cup semifinals.
With Tuks pulling off a season-defining win against Maties in Stellenbosch, the Johannesburg students will have to be content with finishing their 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International campaign on high note.
A feature of the game was the excellent support play of the visitors and their ability to make full use of possession. The 'Madibas' once again failed to round off several promising movements, but full marks must go to the solid UJ defence.
The visitors ran in six tries to NMMU's two as they adapted far better than the home side to the windy conditions. Their pack of forwards also hunted well together, while the backline ran with purpose and pace in setting up most of the tries.
For the hosts No.8 Jaco Swanepoel and flank Andre Goosen were prominent in the tight and loose phases, while UJ's No.8 Torrie Meyer led the way with a storming display with excellent support from his tight five.
Referee Bennie Crouse handled the game competently and issued yellow cards to NMMU lock Jacques Naude and UJ flank Frikkie Martins.
NMMU will be pleased to note that the Shimlas smashed TUT 78-22, which means TUT finished with the Wooden Spoon and will be involved in the dreaded promotion/relegation play-off later in the season.
The scorers:
For NMMU:
Tries: Laubscher, Slabbert
UJ:
Tries: Mogotsi, Snyman, Erasmus, van Tonder, Martins, Smit
Con: Lewis 2, Smith
The teams:
FNB NMMU: 15 Jade Barkhuizen, 14 Aluzant Munnik, 13 Daniel Howitz, 12 Deavon Mellville, 11 Vuyovelethu Mazaka, 10 Willem Laubscher, 9 Luso Booi, 8 Jaco Swanepoel (captain), 7 André Goosen, 6 Morné van der Westhuizen, 5 Luke Beling, 4 Jacques Naude, 3 Pierre Hammond, 2 Allistair Langson, 1 Tyron Williams.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Slabbert, 17 Frans van der Walt, 18 January Siyabulela, 19 Jan Fourie, 20 Niel Weitz, 21 Wade Roos, 22 Cornelius de Villiers.
FNB UJ: 15 Earl Lewis, 14 Edrich van Tonder, 13 Clinton de Klerk (captain), 12 JJ Pienaar, 11 Itumeleng Mogotsi, 10 Arno Coetzee, 9 Jaco Snyman, 8 Torrie Meyer, 7 Julian Erasmus, 6 Frikkie Maartens, 5 Andries Nel, 4 Rob Andrew, 3 Clint van Niekerk, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Wayne Swart.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Charl du Plessis , 18 Ronnie Goodman, 19 Justin Wheeler, 20 Whestley Moolman , 21 André Smith, 22 Oscar Mfundis.
SAPA