Shimlas keep play-off hopes alive
The four points could prove vital for Shimlas as they have now concluded their Varsity Cup round-robin matches and will now rely on results going their way of they are to remain in fourth place on the log.
Shimlas took an early lead when wing Marco Mason raced away for a seven-point try. He added the conversion to ensure a 9-0 lead after just five minutes. The play ebbed and flowed from that point until just before the first Strategy Break when the home side extended their lead.
Vuyani Maqina finished off a move to add an extra five points to the total. Mason failed with the conversion but the home side led 14-0 after 20 minutes.
The Madibaz had the final say of the half though when they scored a seven-point try of their own through centre Andile Jho. Thomas Kean failed with the conversion as the Madibaz trailed 7-14 at the break.
The second half was a tightly contested affair as points proved hard to come by.
Nicholas Naude bagged a seven-point try for his side in the 42nd point to stretch their lead. Mason added the extras to ensure a 23-7 lead.
Madibaz did all they could to narrow the deficit but the arm wrestle proved too much as the home side managed to hang on for the win.
Scorers:
For Shimlas:
Tries: Mason, Maqina, Naude
Cons: Mason 2
For Madibaz:
Try: Jho
Teams:
Shimlas: 15 Sechaba Motsoela, 14 Vuyani Maqina, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Lihleli Xoli, 11 Marco Mason, 10 Nicholas Naude, 9 Albertus Erasmus, 8 Nardus Erasmus, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Benji Janse van Vuuren, 5 Nicolaas Immelman, 4 Neil Claassen, 3 Ruan Kramer, 2 Anrich Alberts, 1 Johan Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Francois Steyn, 17 Kwenzokuhle Blose, 18 Thabiso Msiza, 19 Raymond Woest, 20 Musa Mahlasela, 21 Dian Badenhorst, 22 Henco Posthumus, 23 Wilhelm Kotzenberg.
Madibaz: 15 Lindelwe Zungu, 14 Athenkosi Mayinje, 13 Ivan-John Du Preez, 12 Andile Jho, 11 Jixie Molapo, 10 Thomas Kean, 9 Rouche Nel, 8 Kevin Kaba (captain), 7 Henry Brown, 6 Stephanus Nieuwoudt, 5 Reyno du Toit, 4 Wynand Grassmann, 3 Nicholas Oosthuizen, 2 Jean-Pierre Jamieson, 1 Xandre Vos.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Gogela, 17 Tembelihle Yase, 18 Nicolas Roebeck, 19 Hayden Tharrat, 20 Justin Hollis, 21 Lovu Claassen, 22 Simon Bolze, 23 Siphumelele Msutwana.
Referee: Jaco Kotze
Assistant referees: Local
