The UCT Ikeys capitalised on favourable results by claiming an emphatic 51-26 bonus-point victory over UWC on Monday to climb into first place on the Varsity Cup table.
Given that Shimlas had their unbeaten start to the season ended on Monday, UCT made sure they capitalised by beating UWC in a Cape derby and claiming the annual Chester Williams Memorial Trophy.
Playing at a blustery Green Mile in Cape Town, conditions made it difficult and there were plenty of handling errors in a scrappy opening to the match.
However, UCT made a flying start, as Duran Koevort opened the scoring within the first minute of play and converted his try from the touchline.
The hosts continued to have the better of the game and extended their lead through loose forward Sipho Dyonase, who ran an excellent line on to William Rose’s pass.
While UWC grew into the match as the first half went on, it was UCT who added to their lead as Luthando Woji and Connor Evans scored to give the home side a 28-0 lead at the break.
UWC were quickest out of the blocks in the second half as No 8 Shaine Orderson went over for their first try of the match, converted by centre Lyle Hendricks.
The second half was a bit more competitive than the first as UWC started to find their rhythm with ball in hand and get some of their dangerous backs into space.
Wing Peter Williams and scrumhalf Conwill Conradie added tries for UWC, after Mika Schubert scored for the Ikey Tigers, to make it 35-19 to the home side with 15 minutes to play.
However, UCT ran riot from there as scrumhalf Imad Khan was unselfishly given a try by his teammate, before Ntokozo Makhaza brought up the half-century for the home side.
There was still time for UWC to get a late fourth try and come away with a bonus point, when centre Aydon Topley sliced through the Ikeys defence.
UCT Ikeys – Tries: Duran Koevort, Sipho Dyonase, Luthando Woji, Connor Evans, Mika Schubert, Imad Khan, Ntokozo Makhaza. Conversions: Koevort (5).
UWC – Tries: Shaine Orderson, Peter Williams, Conwill Conradie, Aydon Topley. Conversions: Lyle Hendricks (3).
UCT Ikeys – 15 Duran Koevort, 14 Rihaz Fredericks, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Ruben Labuschagne, 11 Rethabile Louw, 10 David Hayes, 9 William Rose, 8 Taariq Kruger, 7 Thomas Meyer, 6 Sipho Dyonase, 5 Mika Schubert, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Keagan Glade, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Luthando Woji (c).
Subs: 16 Troy Fisher, 17 Seth Christian, 18 Alizwa Mngqeta, 19 Matthew Grobler, 20 Jason Macleod Smith, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Kian Davis, 23 Ntokozo Makhaza.
UWC – 15 Gilroy Lee Philander, 14 Tasriq Mynhardt, 13 Aydon Topley, 12 Lyle Hendricks (c), 11 Peter Williams, 10 Hanno van Biljon, 9 Conwill Conradie, 8 Shaine Orderson, 7 Godfrey Muzanarwo, 6 Romuald Ntumba, 5 Jaen-Louis de Lange, 4 Bronlee Mouries, 3 Justin Theys, 2 Mauritz Swart, 1 Keon Links.
Subs: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Haniel du Toit, 18 Liam Tattersal, 19 Nicholas Chipanje, 20 Will Vraagom, 21 Patrick Kotze, 22 Tandile Hoyi, 23 Keanuh Michaels.
Photo: asemengage.photoshelter.com
