Wits win varsity battle as they down AmaTuks

Cape Town - Bidvest Wits maintained their dominance over Varsity rivals University of Pretoria with a 1-0 win in an Absa Premiership clash at Tuks Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

The result keeps the Clever Boys unbeaten record against their 'Varisty Rivals' intact with Gavin Hunt's men now unbeaten in their last seven games against AmaTuks. 

Still hurting from their 4-0 defeat to Chippa United, AmaTuks coach Sammy Troughton shut up shop from the onset. 

This made for an unattractive encounter with the visitors tasked with trying to find a why past a stubborn AmaTuks defensive line. 

It would be the hosts though to create the best chance of the first-half with Thabiso Nkoana guilty of failing to hit the back of the net in the 16th minute - the ball fell favourable for the former SuperSport United man in the box, but he could only manage to hit his effort straight at Moeneeb Josephs. 

Nkoana's shot proved to be the only effort on target in the first 45 with Daine Klate firing over from range on the cusp of half-time. 

After what was an uninspiring opening stanza, the game finally produced a goal with 51 minutes on the clock. The AmaTuks defenders were left staring at each other as Shongwe swooped to guide Nazeer Allie's cross into the back of the net from close range. 

This prompted a change in approach for the hosts with Vuyisile Ntombayithethi and Lucky Mathosi introduced before the hour. 

The duo would have the desired impact with Mathosi forcing Josephs into a top class save before Ntombayithethi saw his header attempt from a corner-kick kiss the turf before bouncing over the crossbar in the 66th minute. 

AmaTuks continued to push for the equaliser, but the visitors defence held firm with the win moving Gavin Hunt's men up to second on the league standings - AmaTuks slip to 15th.