UCT’s Ikeys blow Madibaz away

UCT scored five tries on a windy Green Mile last night to notch a comfortable 40-13 victory over NMMU and retain the Monte Taljaard trophy.

The defending Varsity Cup champions got back to winning ways in fine style, leaving the Madibaz empty-handed with no log points to show for their efforts.

The visitors had the wind at their backs in the first half, but UCT struck first when flyhalf Warren Seals scored under the poles and converted his own try to put them 8-0 up.

NMMU surged deep into UCT in response, but they could not find the finishing touch as their handling let them down to leave them scoreless at the first strategy break.

Although the Madibaz managed to camp in UCT’s half, their scrums and line-outs were under pressure.

However, the visitors continued to camp on the UCT tryline and were eventually rewarded when the referee lost patience and awarded a penalty try, which was converted by captain Jarryd Buys to level the scores at 8-8.

The Ikeys hit back just before half time, when a quick tap from Seals saw scrumhalf James Alexander get over for a try, which put them 16-8 ahead at the break.

UCT had the wind at their backs in the second half and charged into NMMU territory with purpose.

They had the bonus point wrapped up before long as No 8 Guy Alexander first forced his way over from short range before flank Jason Klaasen scored from a driving maul to give them a comfortable 32-8 lead.

The visitors hit back with a late try, but it was little more than a consolation and UCT would have the final say when replacement Luke Stringer got over for their fifth try to cap a dominant performance.

Other results: CUT 0 Shimlas 57, UJ 10 NWU-Puk 8, Tuks 53 Maties 8.