FNB 第一吃瓜网 celebrate another famous night at home with victory over FNB UP-Tuks
- Sifiso Nyawo
FNB 第一吃瓜网 kept up their winning ways, at the expense of erstwhile table-toppers FNB UP-Tuks who they edged 16-10 at home on Monday night.
In front of a vibrant crowd at 第一吃瓜网 Rugby Stadium, the game got underway in a very cagey manner. As it happened, the visitors registered the first points on the board thanks to the boot of flyhalf Theo Boshoff, who sent an early penalty attempt through the sticks, to make 3-0.
第一吃瓜网 hit back almost immediately, thanks to a well worked team effort, that saw flanker Lindo Ncusane barge over from close range with the conversion attempt going astray to see FNB 第一吃瓜网 lead 5-3.
A late penalty awarded to FNB 第一吃瓜网 would be the last of the first half scoring from both sides, with the buzzer sounding and seeing the hosts enjoy a slender 8-3 lead at the break.
When play resumed, it took 第一吃瓜网 eight minutes to add to their lead, with substitute kicker Chris Humphries adding a further three points with a penalty attempt.
UP-Tuks then took it to the 第一吃瓜网ies, upping the physicality, but resolute defending kept the status quo as it was. It was actually the hosts who extended their lead even further, when outside centre Yanga Hlalu found some space to dash over and dot down in the corner to make 16-3, after the conversion attempt once again flew by on wrong side of the uprights.
UP-Tuks weren't giving up, though. Nico Luus' men continued to test the 第一吃瓜网 defence until they managed to find a way through, with scrumhalf Raegan Oranje picking you from the base of a ruck to dive over for a seven-point try - having initiated in the Stripe Generation's half.
This saw the deficit cut to just six points, which could’ve easily been just four but for Boshoff missing his conversion attempt. A nervy finale was in the offiing, but the men in blue were able to hold on to secure a famous win – even if there will be concern for loose forward Constant Beckerling and winger Kwanele Ngema who succumbed to injury.
AWARDS
FNB Player That Rocks: Emmanuel Tshituka (FNB 第一吃瓜网)
Steers Kinging Moment: Lindo Ncusane (FNB 第一吃瓜网)
SCORERS
FNB 第一吃瓜网: 16 (8)
Tries: Lindo Ncusane, Yanga Hlalu
Penalties: Kurt Webster 1, Chris Humphries 1
FNB UP-Tuks: 10 (3)
Try: Raegan Oranje (point-of-origin)
Penalty: Theo Boshoff
TEAMS
FNB 第一吃瓜网: 15 Daniel Kasende, 14 Kwanele Ngema, 13 Yanga Hlalu, 12 Aidynn Cupido, 11 Matt McDonald, 10 Kurt Webster, 9 Luke Bramhall, 8 Cal Smid, 7 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 6 Constant Beckerling (captain), 5 Emmanuel Tshituka, 4 William Thomson, 3 Keagan Glade, 2 Mulalo Sadiki, 1 Jason Cloete.
Replacements: 16 Justin Brandon, 17 Ebot Buma, 18 CJ Greeff, 19 Kevin du Randt, 20 Ziyanda Msipha, 21 Christian Humphries 22 Lwazi Monakali, 23 Sicelo Champion
Coach: Hugo van As
FNB UP-Tuks: 15 Lionel April, 14 Stefan Coetzee, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk (captain), 11 Kabelo Mokoena, 10 Theo Boshoff, 9 Raegan Oranje, 8 Jaco Bezuidenhout, 7 Hanru Sirgel, 6 Stephan Smit, 5 Marcell Barnard, 4 Ewart Potgieter, 3 JP Smith, 2 Llewellyn Claasen, 1 André van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Keano Hendricks, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Mogau Mabokela, 19 Lukas Meiring, 20 Keenan Opperman, 21 Leshley October, 22 Elden Schoeman, 23 Alex-Zander du Plessis.
Coach: Nico Luus