UCT's own Soccer World Cup fun
With the 2010 Soccer World Cup almost at an end, the UCT First XV decided to get in on the action and try their skills on the soccer pitch. Twelve men-a-side, with the 1st XV looking all ‘buff’, did their opponents ever have a chance?
Last (Wednesday) night saw the UCT RFC First XV take on the management team, with names like Kevin Foote, Lisa Brown and Dave Wessels all getting in on the action for the managers.
It was one scary site seeing the likes of Wes Chetty, André ‘Spies’ Goosen and Enoch ‘Tshabala’ Panya come running at you. The match was played as a fitness drill but soon turned out more serious than anticipated with tackles galore.
The experience of Kevin Foote, Anthony Fenton-Wells, Rob Siddle and Stephen Knoop in goals seemed a deadly combination on paper but on the field it was a different story.
The 1st XV scored early from an off-side position with bias referee Dayne Jans turning a blind eye and awarding the goal. The managers, now behind 1-0, saw Kevin Foote shine through – showing why he captained UCT for three consecutive years as he ran well off though-balls from midfield players Phil Venter and Ian ‘Army’ Armstrong.
The managers kept pressing with Lisa coming Klose to scoring but saw the 250kg frame of Chetty stand in her way. The managers soon found a way pass the ‘keeper and put three goals past him in succession. “If you can’t score past him, then score over him,” chirped the managers.
Chetty was soon replaced by Grant Kemp in goal and this couldn’t help them as the managers made it 4-1.
Was there a twist in the tail for the 1st XV? You bet your bottom dollar there was! With the managers now exhausted and slowing down at every step, something had to give. Soon after came a change in referee as Marcel Brache replaced Danger as the match official. If the managers thought Danger was bad… wait till you have seen Marcel Brache referee!
It was a bloodbath after that as the 1st XV ran through their opponents and not around them scoring three goals and it wasn’t pretty in all means. The score now at 4-4 saw referee Marcel play 10 extra minutes which gave the players time to score the winner and take the match 5-4!
The re-match will take place next week, venue and time to be decide.
By Clement le Roux
