Tuks beat Pukke to stay top

by PDBY Staff | Feb 23, 2012 | Sports

FNB Tuks asserted their dominance in the Varsity Cup for the third consecutive week by claiming a 40-20 win against NWU-Pukke in a convincing fashion at Tuks Rugby Stadium on 20 February. “I think we were very clinical tonight, and it was a great team performance,” said Tuks 1 fly half Wesley Dunlop. Tuks scored five tries in the game and Dunlop put in a faultless performance with the boot. Pukke scored three tries in the match. Tuks secured themselves a bonus point and retention of the top spot on the log. According to Tuks 1 captain, Jono Ross he knew the game would be physical and he was determined to match up to that. “We knew Pukke would be strong up front and we would have to match up physically and I think we did that well tonight. All credit to the boys,” he said. Tuks’ aggressive game plan suited them well. The forwards ran hard and continually placed pressure on Pukke which forced the visitors into  errors, and disrupted their play. Tuks did not allow Pukke to set the tone for the game. Dunlop said that “the boys pitched up with the right attitude and urgency and that’s what was needed.” The game got off to a quick start when Tuks scored the first try of the game. Tuks flanker Jacques Verwey crossed the try line in the second minute following a maul from a Tuks line out. Pukke speedily responded with their first try three minutes later when  winger, Andrew van Wyk went over the try line. At this stage it looked as if the game would be tightly contested all the way through, but this was not to be.. After Pukke’s penalty in the 18th minute their play slowed down. They were unable to make any significant runs or attempts at putting points on the board. Tuks had a few scoring opportunities but were unable to capitalise on them due to mistakes. Tuks was rewarded with another scoring opportunity that came off some good ball when Dabeon Draghoender straightened his five metre run to evade a tackle in the 30th minute. Man of the match, Clayton Blommetjies showed his class again as he has done all season.. He was involved in Tuks’ third try when he made a dash for the try line, offloading to Jacques Momberg, who went over for the try. Fifty three minutes into the game Pukke crossed the line which was referred to the TMO. The try was awarded and Pukke seemed to be inching themselves back into the game. The joint work from Dunlop and Blommetjies provided Tuks the next try and possibly the try of Tuks’ campaign thus far. Dunlop launched a cross kick into the corner of the Pukke goal area where Blommetjies timed his jump to perfection, snatching the ball out of the air and scoring, despite two Pukke defenders surrounding him. Blommetjies said that the move was not really called for but that his team mates trust him under the high ball. The teams each scored another two tries by the end of the game with Pukke restoring a degree of pride with their last try. Tuks’ next clash will be against Maties on 27 February, away from home. Ross will not go into the next game  with complacency. “This is still a long competition and we still hope to peak at the right times. So we will take it game by game.” Tuks will look to continue their good form with a win over  rivals, Maties, in what looks set to be Tuks’ toughest challenge yet.

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