Varsity Cup
Smit squares it for UJ
2010-02-08 21:37
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Tukkies player on the run. (Varsity Cup Photo)
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Pretoria - It took a last minute penalty by University of Johannesburg (UJ) flyhalf Andre Smit to tie up the scores 34-all with nine tries and a see-sawing scoreline by Tukkies and UJ doing the Varsity Cup competition full justice at Tukkies athletics stadium on Monday night.
Three great backline tries by the wingers in the first 15 minutes set up the match - and although there were the odd quiet periods, it was a match that will ensure more near-full stadiums as was the case on Monday night.
Tukkies started off as they did last week against the Pukke with a full backline move - the first of the day - rounded off by Sevens Springbok Deon Helberg. Ten minutes later he did so again to put his side 10-0 in the lead, with Gert Smit missing the two conversions and three penalties in the first 25 minutes - albeit that one penalty was all of 60 metres long.
UJ, who had seen very little of the ball, then reciprocated after 15 minutes and gave Helberg's direct opponent Lolo Waqa a near-clear run which was made easier by some loose tackling early on. With Andre Smit's conversion on target, they were only 10-7 behind.
UJ came more into the game - a fast-moving encounter that fluctuated from the one half to the other, despite some periods of good forward confrontation. They were the next to score, on the half hour, when captain Clinton de Klerk burst through the Tukkies after good pressure from the UJ forwards. With Smit again on target, it was 14-10 to the visitors.
But the some good angled-running from Tukkies in a period where they won increasingly less ball and a fluent move from a good ruck saw left wing Justin van Stade finish well near he corner - and this time Van Stade was entrusted with the kicking and made no mistake to put his team 17-14 up at the break.
It was real Varsity Cup rugby, with four of the five first-half tries coming from wings and one from a centre.
Shortly after the restart Smit squared matters up with a penalty after a ruck offence on Tukkies' line and then Justin Wheeler had a near 60 metres stroll following an intercept. Smit again converted.
But that didn't deter Tukkies. Captain Shaun Davids, with four beautiful sidesteps that showed why he is an Emerging Sevens Springbok, went over under the posts (24-24).
Shortly after the restart, Davids was caught on his line - and UJ hooker Edgar Maratlulle surely knew the rugby gods were on his side when a botched clearance kick from behind the Tukkies line went into his breadbasket. He hung on and all he had to do is fall over. He duly did that for Smit to convert (31-24).
Van Staden pulled three points back with a 52 metres penalty after 58 minutes.
And then, in the third give-away try of the evening, Lions Currie Cup player Earl Lewis who otherwise had a solid and at times spectacular game, attempted a crazy drop kick from a good 60 metres out against an advancing backline.
Franco Booysen was in his way, and from the rebound Booysen ran 40 metres to go over under the posts for Smit to convert and the put home team back in the lead at 34-31.
Ten minutes later, with time over, Helberg threw the ball away when UJ wanted a quick linehout, and Smit evened matters.
Tukkies:
Tries: Deon Helberg (2), Justin van Staden, Shaun Davids, Franco Booysen.
Conversion: Van Staden (3).
Penalty: Van Staden.
UJ:
Tries: Lolo Waqa, Clinton de Klerk, Justin Wheeler, Edgar Maratlulle.
Conversions: Andre Smit (4).
Penalty: Smit (2)