KEVIN VAN DER LIST
FNB Maties remain the only unbeaten team in this year’s Varsity Cup as they beat FNB Tuks by one point (23-22) in a nail-biting match at the Danie Craven Stadium on 27 February. The long awaited match between the arch rivals did not disappoint any high hopes. It was predicted to be a tightly contested match between the two unbeaten teams in this year’s competition, and the score line beared the proof. The two teams last met in the 2011 Varsity Cup season in Pretoria where Tuks won 27-13. However, in 2010 Tuks lost 64-17 to Maties in Stellenbosch. History repeated itself this season as playing against Maties at home proved to be no easy feat, although the scores were much closer this time around. Tuks flyhalf Wesley Dunlop stated earlier in the week that it would be a “tough” game, and the boys had to show up with the right attitude. Dunlop said that the team is upset about the loss. “It’s a disappointing loss, especially after being so close,” he said. Although it was a compelling game, there was a lot of controversy in the build-up to it. There was public outcry as to why the game was not televised. According to the Varsity Cup Managing Director, Duister Bosman, Maties were only granted three televised games this year as they finished in fifth place last season. Although the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Stellenbosch winners have been unbeaten this season, it was not possible to change the televised schedule, according to Bosman. Although the game was not televised, it did not put a damper on proceedings. Maties drew first blood when their right wing Ryan Nell scored under the posts to give his team an 8-0 lead advantage. The teams were neck and neck at the halfway point ending the first half on a 10-10 score. Tuks managed to kick over two penalties after the break through Wesley Dunlop. Soon after that Grant Hatting brought Maties back into the game bringing the score to 15-14. When Hein van der Merwe scored next to take the score up to 23-14, the score line looked bigger than the game reflected. Tuks’ ‘never die’ attitude was displayed when last week’s man of the match, Clayton Blommetjies, scored a try two minutes before the end. The last ditch attempt by Tuks made it a tightly contested one-point ball game. Dunlop said that the attitude of the guys “was unbelievable” and that the team is not at all pessimistic after the loss. “Yes we are [still] confident. I personally think [the loss] will help us. We don’t have that pressure of trying to go through the season unbeaten. We’re going to take it game by game,” said Dunlop. Tuks’ next clash will be on 5 March against Shimlas in a 19:00 kick off at TuksRugby Stadium.
Photo: Jaco Joubert
