Vikings continue slide
29 Jan 2013
The TUT Vikings, relegated from the Varsity Cup last year, got off to rocky start in the Varsity Shield, taking a 42-4 hammering from UWC in Bellville on Monday.
The Cape side, now coached by ex-Bok coach Peter de Villiers, scored 40 unanswered points through five tries in the second half to take the game away from the Vikings.
Both teams showed plenty of enthusiasm and a willingness to run the ball from the offset, but could not find the killer blow, with the match scoreless at the first strategy break.
The visitors were enjoying a major territorial advantage in the first half with the wind at their backs, and piled on the pressure after UWC lock Methetheleli Fuzani was shown a yellow card for repeated infringements at the breakdown, but could not find a way over the tryline as the home side showed great commitment on defence.
With continuity a precious commodity it was the Vikings who took a slender 4-2 lead into the half-time break after outscoring UWC by two penalties to one in the opening half.
UWC came out after half-time and scored three quick tries to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Fuzani crashed over from close range shortly after the break and that was followed up by tries from scrumhalf Freddie Muller and left wing Minenhle Mthethwa to put them firmly in control at 26-4.
The bonus point was wrapped up after the second strategy break when replacement Donovan Williams cut the defensive line before finding outside centre Kenwin Weiner who dived over for the try which clinched a full house of five log points for the home side.
Meanwhile, in Pietermaritzburg, UKZN overcame a determined Fort Hare side in tricky conditions to register a gutsy 19-7 victory.
UKZN failed to win a single game last year to finish with the Varsity Shield wooden spoon, so the win will come as a massive boost as they look to build some momentum this season.
There was no shortage of commitment from either side in the pouring rain, and it was anyone’s game at the hour mark with UKZN holding a slender 8-7 lead.
However, the home side turned on the class in the final stages with the wind at their backs, and a try and three penalties sealed a valuable victory over the dangerous Eastern Cape side.
Varsity Shield action continues on Thursday when UWC travel to Bloemfontein to take on 2011 champions CUT, whilst the UKZN Take on TUT in Pretoria.
Tags: Varsity Shield
5 Comments
29 Jan 2013, 07:34 am
freddie muller of uwc a prospect at 9 to look out for…
good long, flat and snappy no-steps pass… great snipes from the back… good kicking to keep the team going forward and good defense…
a serious talent…
uwc played against the gale in the first half, plus has a yellow card and defended like demons to keep tut out…
when they played with the wind in the second half uwc played some very good rugby and it was game over…
and right at the end tut pushed hard for a consolation try but uwc again defended like their lives depended on it to keep tut tryless…
nice talent in uwc across the park… number 7 whose name i don’t know… 2m tall and very quick…
haven’t seen such commttted and straight running for quite a while…
29 Jan 2013, 07:44 am
Juan-Paul Kellerman?
http://varsitycup.co.za/varsity-shield/uwc/31-varsity-shield/uwc/5814-fnb-uwc-run-riot-in-bellville
29 Jan 2013, 07:49 am
@hendrikp-2:
thanks hendrik… that’s him…
all round very good performance from uwc… played enterprising exciting rugby…
29 Jan 2013, 08:10 am
Ummm unless I’m mistaken in that 1st half I didn’t see any non POC’s playing for UWC. what is PdV thinking?
29 Jan 2013, 09:28 am
What a busy evening at Udubs last night , dancers , announcer making a noise right throughout the game but an example to the rest of the country .
Firstly a rousing anthem , sung by black , white coloured and Indian together – almost brought a tear to the eye .
First half was hard fought with only kicks and I dont know whether it was because the wind was at their backs of whether PDivvy gave them a bollocking in the half time – but UWC were a changed tem in the 2nd half – 5 unanswered tries .
Freddy Muller is an improving #9 – last season he tended to take a few steps back and then pass . Last night he got the ball away swiftly from break downs but without a lengthy pass – although to be charitable – in that 50km South easter had Freddy passed long , there could have been a few intercepts . Other stand outs were the one tall centre – who runs straight , the Rhodesian #8 Ndlovu and both locks – think one is a witou and the other has serious dread locks . Nice game lads – if you win this year – I hope you are promoted to the Cup
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