Edgar Marutlulle (Gallo Images)

Pretoria - In a hard-fought FNB Varsity Cup match with few highlights and too many handling errors from both sides in Pretoria on Monday, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) beat the Tshwane University for Technology (TUT) mainly because of a dominant pack and two early tries form turnovers.

The try squandered by UJ wing Trekker van Tonder after 57 minutes epitomised the match errors when he lost the ball in the process of scoring.

And UJ, who led 20-7 at the break and should have been well out of sight by halftime, were made to work hard and at times hold on in the third quarter when they could not score against a much-improved TUT team.

There was precious little running rugby, and while especially the UJ tight five will be pleased with their work on the day, UJ will have to make more effective use of their possession and take their chances if they hope to be there for the play-offs.

UJ fullback Aubrey MacDonald put his side on the board in the fourth minute from a turnover by TUT, and it was again lost possession that saw speedster Lolo Waka run nearly 70 metres to make it 10-0.

While these two tries were made by hard running and poor tackling, the third UJ try came from good driving that eventually saw hooker Edgar Marutlulle in possession when the forwards poured over the line. With Andre Smith's conversion good, they led comfortably at 17-0 - but then a seemingly outplayed TUT side came back through a try by Ryno Lopes converted by Jacques Venter.

Two kickable penalties missed by Venter as TUT seemed to get back in the game after the break gave UJ some breathing space and UJ scored the first points in the second half through a converted try by Martyn Lombard (25-7) on 60 minutes.

That try brought the bonus point and replacement Ryno Luus made it 28-7 with a penalty. With 13 minutes to go, TUT were doomed to another defeat after last year's winless streak in the competition.

But just as they had fought against the odds throughout, TUT's attitude saw them score the last points with a converted try through Wikus Botes on the final whistle to make it 28-14.

Scorers:

UJ: Tries: Aubrey MacDonald, Lolo Waka, Edgar Marutlulle, Martyn Lombard. Conversion: Andre Smith. Penalties: Smith, Ryno Luus.

TUT: Tries: Ryno Lopes, Wikus Botes. Conversion: Jacques Venter, Johan Oosthuizen.