Maties make it two in a row

Maties make it two in a row

30 Mar 2009

Maties clinched their second Varsity Cup title with a 11-6 win over Pukke in a scrappy final in Stellenbosch.

The defending champions struggled to get going in the first half, but some smart work at the breakdown and solid defence in the second stanza saw Chean Roux’s men hang on to claim their second title in two years.

The game was far from the showpiece the 18 000 strong at the Danie Craven Stadium had hoped for, but in the end the Maties fans were the ones singing after 80 minutes.

In a tight and disjointed first half it was Pukke who got off to a good start and took the lead in only the second minute through a Cecil Dumond penalty. The visitors were playing some good percentage rugby albeit without much penetration.

It was only a matter of time until the hosts found their rhythm and after a good period of sustained pressure, Maties launched an attack from a scrum deep in Pukke’s half. The ball went quickly through the hands before reaching Morné Jooste out on the wing who stumbled before finishing in the corner for the only try of the game.

While Pukke looked good at lineout time, it was at the breakdown where their hard work was undone as the Maties’ forwards dominated the tackle point.

The difference between the two sides was the speed at which Stellenbosch were able to attack, which was down to the efficient work of their loose trio and the crisp distribution of scrumhalf Donald Stevens.

Pukke were still enjoying the bulk of the possession but had little to show for it as Maties’ defence stood strong. With time running out in the half a good kick and chase led to an attacking scrum for Pukke deep in Maties territory.

From the scrum the visitors managed to set up an overlap on the left, but fullback Willem Barnard butchered the chance to give his side the lead and Maties went into the break with a slim advantage.

The game started to open up in the second half, but as the ball was given more air, the error count began to mount on both sides and Pukke finally regained the lead through the boot of Dumond in the 49th minute.

Stellenbosch edged in front again through a cheeky drop goal from flyhalf Johan Sadie. The score seemed to reinvigorate the defending champions and they extended their lead just three minutes later through a Stevens penalty.

Maties’ forwards were beginning to stamp their authority on the game, but in most instances their hard work was undone by some sloppy handling.

With less then 10 minutes left in the game Pukke threw everything they had left at the hosts, but Roux’s men were up to the challenge as they kept the visitors at bay to hold on for the win.

In the curtain-raiser Armentum of Shimlas beat Dromedaris of the University of Johannesburg 30-16 in the Koshuis final.

By Andrew Worling, in Stellenbosch


454 Comments

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  • 51.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:27 pm

    #46 WP Till I Die: i sometimes cannot believe what i read and see on the blog…for the life of me i cannot understand a lot of what happens…in fact i actually get very sad to see saffas saying such hurtful things …childish in the extreme…all saffas should unite …hate this ongoing nonsense…

  • 52.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:28 pm

    #49 carol:

    Some people just showed their true characters, that’s all.

  • 53.Puma: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:28 pm

    #43 grant10: Not sure if Mallett will ever coach here again. Mallett not doing very well with Italy, then who would? No matter how good a coach you are if you don’t have talented players to work with you can not do much.

    Well if Meyer is looking thats very good news. Need to keep some of these great coaches. If Jake coached Stormers he would have CJ back home straight away. Maybe a few others too. I think thats what is missing at the Stormers a really good coach. Also need to get some younger players in. Get another hooker too. That hooker from Cheetahs is very impressive. Wasted in a team like that. Stormers should grab him quick before another franchise does.

  • 54.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:28 pm

    #48 WP Till I Die: hang in the mighty MATIES!

  • 55.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:29 pm

    #51 grant10:

    Yes, not fun having yourself and your employment threatened, and then receiving threatening e-mails…

  • 56.Puma: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:30 pm

    #51 grant10: It actually puts me off this blog a lot. When all that fighting and ugly stuff comes out. Not really good.

  • 57.carol: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:30 pm

    #52 WP Till I Die: Well most of it was lost on me!!

  • 58.K9 the Lion: King of Beasts: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:30 pm

    Thats it. Final 11/6

  • 59.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:31 pm

    #49 carol: Hi beautiful ! Yes…bad day Princess…insults and counter insults…a day at primary school would have been a more adult experience…i read through and didnt know whether to laugh or cry!!

  • 60.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:31 pm

    Well done, Maties!

    Sterling and heroic defence won this match…but all respect to the Pukke for an amazing attempt!

    Rugby is the winner this evening!

  • 61.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:32 pm

    #53 Puma: yes…a strong coach attracts top talent….i also rate Adriaan Strauss the cheetahs hooker…

  • 62.carol: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:33 pm

    #59 grant10: At least you understood it!! I can understand about 1 word in 20 !! But I could tell it was heated!

  • 63.carol: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:34 pm

    #59 grant10: Hey don’t cry, I bought myself a digital camera today, thought I would send you a picture of Stormer when I have worked out how to use it!

  • 64.alf: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:34 pm

    #55 WP Till I Die: Nou watter fight het ek gemis, en wat het ons afrikaners nou weer aangevang ?

  • 65.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:34 pm

    #55 WP Till I Die: i am sure a few apologies will be forthcoming from a lot of bloggers once tempers cool down…i have flown off the handle once or twice and felt a real idiot afterwards…as i said…the apologies will be forthcoming…

  • 66.Puma: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:34 pm

    #61 grant10: I do and think who he should be in a better team. Stormers need a good hooker. Strauss can scrum well too. Now if you had him and CJ that already would make a huge difference.

  • 67.Puma: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:35 pm

    #66 Puma: ignore the who in the first line.

  • 68.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:36 pm

    #56 Puma: i far more appreciate the night owls…good banter and a bit of rugby…and all friends…what more can a man want..

  • 69.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:36 pm

    #64 alf:

    Gaan lees net bietjie deur die “Willemse shock for Lions” thread Alf…

  • 70.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:36 pm

    #65 grant10:

    Well, I know I did nothing wrong today…

  • 71.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:37 pm

    #62 carol: To say the least…heated…and skop and cc were not here to be blamed !

  • 72.alf: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:37 pm

    Geluk aan die taMaties met hul 2de VC. Pukke hard probeer daar aan die einde, maar te laat. As hul die hele wedstryd meer aanvallend gespeel het, sou hul ‘n beter kans gehad het.

  • 73.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:37 pm

    #60 WP Till I Die: fantastic…i am thrilled for them!

  • 74.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:38 pm

    #58 K9 the Lion: King of Beasts: thanks Lion

  • 75.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:39 pm

    #63 carol: i save my tears for the Stormers…LOL…that will be great …look forward to seeing him…

  • 76.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:40 pm

    It will be interesting to see the tackle count for this match.

    I will not be surprised if Maties put in around 25% more tackles than Pukke.

  • 77.K9 the Lion: King of Beasts: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:40 pm

    SuperSport have put on hold the services of Joost van der Westhuizen following recent developments in the alleged *** tape scandal.

  • 78.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:40 pm

    #66 Puma: yes…and a decent back up lock…

  • 79.carol: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:40 pm

    #58 K9 the Lion: King of Beasts: Not keeping you up are we? Your FB comments always crack me up ;-)

  • 80.alf: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:41 pm

    #69 WP Till I Die: Eish, ek gaan nie nou deur al 200 boodskappe lees nie, so dalk is dit goed as ek dit gemis het.

  • 81.carol: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:41 pm

    #71 grant10: Now there’s a change!!

  • 82.K9 the Lion: King of Beasts: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:41 pm

    #63 carol: U caught me napping last night….again!!!

  • 83.Puma: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:42 pm

    #68 grant10: It can be good at night, just if one starts then we are not many here and it feels even more heated. I mostly blog in the day now so can shift between threads when that happens and there are many more of us. Still don’t like the fighting. Would rather not blog when insults come for nothing.

    Did you see John tackle Bryce by accident on Sat? Crikey I laughed my butt off.

  • 84.K9 the Lion: King of Beasts: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:43 pm

    #79 carol: I never go to bed before 12……at night ;)

  • 85.carol: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:43 pm

    #75 grant10: Nothing exciting, four legs, tail etc…. :-) :-)
    Actually as horses go he is rather beautiful, I am falling in love again!!

  • 86.Puma: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:44 pm

    #78 grant10: Stormers need to start looking now, next year will be too late again. Sign up the new players this year and a new coach and by next year they could be on top of the log.

  • 87.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:44 pm

    #80 alf:

    Jy hoef eintlik net no. 104 te lees…

  • 88.carol: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:44 pm

    #82 K9 the Lion: King of Beasts: I could hear your snoring from here!!

  • 89.carol: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:46 pm

    #83 Puma: Hi Puma, I hate confrontation too, not my cup of tea, however there is someone who really, really annoys me…….

  • 90.Puma: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:46 pm

    Okay all thats me. Out of here now

    Enjoy the rest of your evening.

  • 91.K9 the Lion: King of Beasts: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:46 pm

    #87 WP Till I Die: Wat van jy hou nou op???? Gaan moan op daai ander thread…….dis mos nou rustig hier.

  • 92.carol: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:47 pm

    #52 WP Till I Die: Perhaps they were just having a bad day!!

  • 93.alf: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:47 pm

    #83 Puma: Ja, ou Smit het ‘n lekker Piet van Zyl op die ref getrek !

  • 94.K9 the Lion: King of Beasts: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:47 pm

    #88 carol: Could u hear me snoring from Kates house? :shock:

  • 95.carol: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:47 pm

    #90 Puma: Puma come back here and insult me!!! ;-)

  • 96.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:48 pm

    #91 K9 the Lion: King of Beasts:

    Ek het net vir Alf se vraag beantwoord.

    Ek het niemand beledig nie. Lyk my daar’s dubbelstandaarde…

  • 97.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:49 pm

    #70 WP Till I Die: no…you right there

  • 98.Puma: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:49 pm

    #89 carol: I hate fighting Carol. It actually puts me off this blog a LOT. I like coming on to this site to talk about rugby, cricket and have a bit of fun. When it gets heated I just log off now.

    There are a few that get to me too. I just don’t speak to them anymore. Its the best just scroll down. Sometimes its hard to as I want to have my say but now just if they are on I don’t log on anymore.

    I have a early start tomorrow Carol. So out of here now.

    Cheers and enjoy the rest of your evening. You will be only a hour behind us now. Your summer will come quick now. And so will the time for coming to SA.

  • 99.carol: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:50 pm

    #94 K9 the Lion: King of Beasts: Quite possibly! She is a bit closer to Joburg than I am!!

  • 100.carol: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2009, 20:52 pm

    #98 Puma: Wise words Puma, as always.
    You are right another hour of daylight so less blogging soon! You have a good evening too, catch you soon.

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