NMMU on the move

FNB NMMU moved off the bottom of the Varsity Cup log when they produced an impressive performance in beating FNB TUT 28-18 at the Xerox NMMU Stadium, South Campus, on Monday.

The home trailing 5-7 at half-time in this FNB Varsity Cup match presented by Steinhoff International, came back strongly after the break.

The victory was made just that much sweeter for the Port Elizabeth students as they had to play with seven forwards for 50 of the 80 minutes.

NMMU fullback Vuyolwethu Mazaka received a red card in the 30th minute, following a dangerous tackle.

Two minutes earlier, NMMU No.8 Jaco Swanepoel, who was one of the most outstanding players on the field, had received a yellow card from referee Bongani Maloni (Border) for a high tackle.

This led to the home side playing with 13 men for eight minutes and the visitors failed to take full advantage of the situation.

However, all this seemed to spur NMMU on to greater heights and they dominated the second half to a large degree.

Much of the credit must go to their disciplined pack, who out-scrummed their opponents in the second half despite having only seven forwards.

NMMU flyhalf Willem Laubscher excelled with his educated boot by getting 13 of his team’s points.

Though TUT dominated the line-outs throughout the match, their backline, with the exception of flyhalf Adillio Coutiers, failed rather miserably.

Scorers:

NMMU:
Tries: Andre Goosen 2, January Siyabulela
Cons: Willem Laubscher 2
Pen: Laubscher 2
DG: Laubscher

TUT:
Tries: Wikus Botes, Adillio Coutiers
Con: Coutiers
Pens: Coutiers 2