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UWC thrash UFH, win Varsity Shield title

Cape Town - Spectators came out in their numbers to witness this year’s Varsity Shield final at the UWC Sports Grounds in Bellville as the home team powered past UFH 45-2 to claim the 2017 title.

On a warm evening in Cape Town it was UWC who took the lead in the first minute through centre Michaine Fick.

Not long after, Herschel Jantjies added a second try in the ninth minute to give his side an early 13-0 lead after the second try was converted by Aidynn Cupido.

UWC were strong in defence and the visitors struggled to threaten their opponents’ tryline.

Frustration surfaced when the two teams were involved a bust-up in the middle of the park, but no player was sent off as the referee did not deem it a malicious brawl.

The contest took another turn in favour of the home side when Jantjies sold a dummy to dot the ball under the posts after a strong scrum from his team.

UFH added pressure on the buzzer, but strong defence from UWC saw them hold on to their 21-0 lead going into the break.

The half-time team talk must have been a stern one as UFH got their first points just a minute into the second half.

UFH flyhalf Sergio Christian finally got his team on the scoreboard when he landed a penalty.

That penalty seemed to recharge the UWC mission as the boys from Cape Town hit back through a try from substitute Ishmaeel Schroder to extend their lead to 29-2.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Luyolo Batshise was sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle.

UWC took immediate advantage of their numerical superiority as Schroeder got his second try of the match to add to the woes of UFH.

Cupido had his kicking boots on as he converted the try to propel his side to a 37-2 lead after 59 minutes.

It did not end there though as Andre Manuel scored a final try much to the delight of the home fans.

Cupido converted to hand UWC their first-ever Varsity Shield title, and in the process, claim the record for the highest-ever winning margin in the competition.

Player That Rocks: Herschel Jantjies (UWC)

Note: Conversions are worth three points while penalties and drop goals contribute just two points.

Scorers:

UWC

Tries: Fick, Jantjies (2), Schroeder, Theys, Manuel
Conversions: Cupido (5)

Fort Hare:

Penalty: Christian

Yellow card: Luyolo Batshise (Fort Hare, 57 - tip tackle)

Teams:

UWC

15 Daniel Bock, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Michaine Fick, 12 Johannes Carstens, 11 Andre Manuel, 10 Aidynn Cupido, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Adrian Paarwater, 7 Shaine Orderson, 6 Dean van Tonder, 5 Curtley Thomas, 4 Brandon Valentyn, 3 Justin Theys, 2 Ralph Jansen, 1 Mzo Buthelezi

Substitutes: 16 Ismaeel Schroeder, 17 Nathan Cloete, 18 Matthew le Roux, 19 Alwyn Carstens, 20 Clayton Daniels, 21 Rodrick Moses, 22 Keagan Fortune, 23 Bradley Jumaats

Fort Hare

15 Siphoxolo Zaula, 14 Zayne Farmers, 13 Xolela Daniels, 12 Somila Jho, 11 Wilfred Bowers, 10 Jeandre Christian, 9 Qhama Masiza, 8 Sibusiso Sityebi, 7 Thulani Njenje, 6 Zanoxolo Qwele, 5 Philisani Ncoko, 4 Athenkosi Makeleni, 3 Bulelani Mdodana, 2 Mkhonto Caku-caku, 1 Luxhanti Tame

Substitutes: 16 Litha Magocoba, 17 Asiphe Fanele, 18 Siphosethu Tsotsa, 19 Lukho Jongizulu, 20 Lindokuhle Kenene, 21 Luyolo Batshise, 22 Sibongile Novuka, 23 Sivuyile Mdishwa

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