Varsity Cup
NMMU move up the log
2009-02-24 07:24
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Port Elizabeth - NMMU moved off the bottom of the log when they registered a highly impressive performance in beating TUT 28-18 in their FNB Varsity Cup rugby match played at the NMMU Stadium on Monday night after trailing 7-5 at halftime.
The victory was made just that much sweeter for the PE students as they had to play with seven forwards for 50 of the 80 minutes.
NMMU fullback Vuyolwethu Mazaka received a red card in the 30th minute following a dangerous tackle. Two minutes earlier, NMMU No 8 Jaco Swanepoel, who was one of the most outstanding players on the field, had received a yellow card from referee Bongani Maloni (Border) for a high tackle. This led to the home side playing with 13 men for eight minutes and the visitors failed to take full advatnage of the situation.
However, all this seemed to spur NMMU on to greater heights and they dominated the second half to a large degree.
Much of the credit must go to their disciplined pack, who outscrummed their opponents in the second half despite having only seven forwards.
NMMU flyhalf Willem Laubscher excelled with his educated boot by getting 13 of his team's points.
Though TUT dominated the lineouts throughout the match, their backline, with the exception of flyhalf Adillio Coutiers, failed rather miserably.
NMMU: Tries by flank Andre Goosen (2) and replacement January Siyabulela. Laubscher kicked two conversions, a drop goal and a penalty.
TUT: Tries by No 8 Wikus Botes and flyhalf Coutiers. Coutiers also kicked two penalties and a conversion. Sapa