Pukke take Tuks down #VarsityCup

Mar 3 • General News, Varsity & Club, Varsity Cup • 1794 Views • Comments Off on Pukke take Tuks down #VarsityCup

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Photo: William Brown

FNB NWU-Pukke claimed a dramatic 42-37 victory over FNB UP-Tuks in Potchefstroom to hand the visitors their first defeat of the season.
Both teams scored five tries in a pulsating match that went right down to the wire, and in the end the home side did just enough to secure four valuable log points.
NWU-Pukke made a strong start to the game, and after building pressure in opposition territory the ball was sent wide to wing Dalen Goliath who did well to pick up a tricky pass on the 22 and get over for the try which was converted from the touchline by fullback Rhyno Smith.
The home side went 10-0 up shortly afterwards through an easy penalty from Smith, but UP-Tuks hit back with a try by skipper Wiaan Liebenberg who went on a powerful run after some good work from his forwards.
UP-Tuks took the lead when scrumhalf Andre Warner burst down the blindside to score in the corner, and they added to their advantage when No.8 Clyde Davids burst clean through the NWU-Pukke defensive line to run 40 metres and score under the posts.
The hosts hit back with their second try from left wing Dean Stokes, and he added his second on the stroke of half-time, with both touchline conversions from Smith put NWU-Pukke 26-21 up at the break.
The second half got off to a tense start, with both teams making crucial unforced errors and conceding turnovers which meant that NWU-Pukke took their five-point lead into the second strategy break.
The visitors took the lead back and wrapped up their bonus point when right wing Damian van Wyk got over for their fourth try which put them 29-26 ahead once converted by Stander.
However, the seesaw battle continued, and NWU-Pukke took the lead back with their bonus point try which was a brilliant individual effort from scrumhalf Dillon Smit who stepped a few defenders before pinning his ears back and scoring in the corner.
The touchline conversion from Smith gave NWU-Pukke a 34-29 lead, but there was still time for more drama as first UP-Tuks took the lead back with a try from inside centre John Jackson before NWU-Pukke had the final say.
Trailing 37-34 flyhalf Jonny Welthagen put in a cross-kick which found big flank Marno Redelinghuys who barged over to score in the corner, and another touchline conversion from Smith put the seal on a 42-37 win.
FNB Player that Rocks: Dillon Smit
The scorers:
For FNB NWU-Pukke:
Tries: Goliath, Stokes 2, Smit, Redelinghuys
Cons: Smith 5
Pen: Smith
For FNB UP-Tuks:
Tries: Liebenberg, Warner, Davids, Van Wyk, Jackson
Cons: Stander 4
Teams:
FNB NWU-Pukke: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Dalen Goliath, 13 Rowayne Beukman, 12 Johan Deysel, 11 Dean Stokes, 10 Johnny Welthagen, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Jeandre Rudolph (captain), 7 Marno Redelinguys, 6 Rhyk Welgemoed, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 Jacques Vermaak, 1 Johan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Wian Fourie, 17 Mogau Mabokela, 18 Loftus Morrison, 19 Molotsi Bouwer, 20 Malherbe Swart, 21 Juandre Williams, 22 Johannes Briers, 23 Cayle Denner.
FNB UP-Tuks: 15 Riaan Britz, 14 Damian van Wyk, 13 Daniel Kriel, 12 John Jackson, 11 Jermaine Kleinsmith, 10 Joshua Stander, 9 André Warner, 8 Clyde Davids, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg (captain), 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Irné Herbst, 3 Andrew Beerwinkel, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Jan Enslin, 17 Nqobisiswe Mxoli, 18 Dennis Visser, 19 Pieter Janse van Vuren, 20 Emile Temperman, 21 Dewald Human, 22 Adrian Maebane, 23 Dayan van der Westhuizen.