Heartbreak for plucky Ikey Tigers
FNB UCT very nearly caused a shock at the weekend before eventually being denied what would have been a well-deserved WP Super League win over Hamilton’s in Green Point.
The Ikeys went down 26-30 to the Super League log leaders after leading by 10 points with less than 10 minutes left on the clock.
In the end, the home side scampered home in the final minute of play, although UCT did have what looked like a legitimate try – by Therlow Pietersen – disallowed in the final second of play.
Winger Marcello Sampson scored his side’s first try and fullback Pietersen grabbed UCT’s second score for a 10-6 lead, but the home side scored a late first-half try to go into half-time 11-10 up.
Flyhalf Matt Rosslee’s boot and Varsity Cup Back of the Tournament Pietersen’s second try saw the students boss proceedings in the second half as they built up a well-deserved 10-point lead going into those frantic final minutes.
Sadly, it was not enough for the Ikeys and two late tries from ‘Hammies’ saw them sneak in, despite admitting afterwards that they had finished second to the fired-up students, who – despite being outweighed; size-wise and experience-wise – punched above their weight in the forward exchanges.
Ikey Tigers head coach John Dobson was gutted afterwards and he was left lamenting yet another close loss for his exciting, but young side.
“It was absolutely devastating for us. We produced a good performance to be leading an unbeaten side reasonably comfortably with five minutes to go,” he told varsitycup.co.za.
“Our forwards were outstanding against an experienced pack, but until we learn to close games out – that we should win – we are not going to win trophies, although we are a very good side.
“That is three games now where we have led by ten points or more with ten (minutes) to go and have either lost or drawn the match – Pukke in the (Varsity Cup) semifinals, Maties at Newlands and now Hammies.”
UCT’s scorers:
Tries: Sampson, Pietersen 2
Con: Rosslee
Pens: Rosslee 3
The UCT team: 15 Therlow Pietersen, 14 Pete Haw, 13 Tiger Bax, 12 Sean van Tonder, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Matt Rosslee, 9 JP Robert, 8 Jody Burch, 7 Craig Kleu, 6 Nick Fenton-Wells, 5 Michael Passaportis, 4 Bodo Sieber (captain), 3 Herbie Mayosi, 2 Mark Goosen, 1 Ashley Wells.
Replacements: 16 Chris Darby, 17 Vakai ‘Fish’ Hove, 18 Don Armand, 19 Dane Galley, 20 Enoch Panya, 21 Ian Armstrong, 22 Mike Nel.
UCT’s next WP Super League fixture is against NNK on Friday, June 12.
