FNB Varsity College Comets, Juan Steyl (pictured with ball) charges forward during the Comets 40-17 win over the FNB CPUT Tekkies in the FNB Varsity Shield in Cape Town on Friday evening
Image: ASEM ENGAGE/VARISTY CUP
A six-try rout from the Durban FNB Varsity College Comets saw them climb to the top of the FNB Varsity Shield table with a 40-17 win over FNB CPUT in Cape Town on Friday, March 14.
It was a far more clinical performance from the Comets men who managed to gain the early ascendancy and never relented throughout the 80 minutes to claim a crucial win in the context of the overall competition.
The Comets drew first blood in the first five minutes with a characteristic line-out drive that saw hooker,Thabo Njapha, go over for the try. Drico Marx knocked over the conversion to give the visiting side an early 7-0 lead.
The Comets continued that rapid start when they scored again after 17 minutes with another driving line-out that saw number eight Khumo Nkutha get over for the try.
Marx added the extra two points to give the Comets a 14-0 lead inside the first quarter. After 21 minutes the Comets had their third try. This time it was fullback Ben Field who crossed the whitewash. Marx was on the money off the tee and Varsity College were 21-0 inside 25 minutes.
The home side was handed a red card in the first half which set them back.
Tekkies hooker, Lindisipho Kula, was given his marching orders on the half hour mark. It was a dominant end to the first 40 minutes when Edward Sigauke went over in the corner following a devastating break down the middle of the field from replacement hooker Jacques Marais.
Marx couldn’t add the conversion from a tricky angle as the Comets went into the break with a commanding 26-0 lead. The Tekkies started the second half brighter and got themselves on the board with a try of their own after 46 minutes. The Comets lost a player of their own in the second half when prop Bradley Moroney was given a yellow card for recurring scrum penalties.
The Comets hit back in the 54th minute when Sigauke produced some magic to beat a number of defenders to score his second try. Another Marx conversion saw VC into a 33-5 lead. Discipline seemed to be an issue for the home side who received a second red card when lock Ntsako Mhlanga was sent off after the try was scored. It was the hosts who scored next when they went over for a second try soon after the Comets scored. It was converted to narrow the gap to 31-12.
Tekkies number eight, Denly Adams, got his second try and Oyintando Maseti converted. The Comets reestablished their dominant lead when they scored again, this time through number eight Juan Steyl. Marx converted to see the Comets into a 40-12 lead after 60 minutes. Marx was given a yellow card for a deliberate knock down and the home side capitalised with another try.
Flyhalf, Maseti, scored their third try of the night, however his conversion was unsuccessful, but the gap was closed slightly to 40-17 with seven minutes left on the clock.
The Comets managed to play out the rest of the match to claim an important bonus point 40-17 win and move to the top of the FNB Varsity Shield table. Next week the FNB Varsity College Comets will host their neighbours the FNB UKZN Impi at the IIE’s (Independent Institute College) Varsity College Durban North.