BY KESIA ABRAHAMS
Monday night saw the continuation of an age old rivalry between FNB Maties and FNB Ikeys at Danie Craven stadium. Luck was fortunately on Maties side as they ended off with a hard fought win, accomplishing their 21st consecutive home win in the FNB Varsity Cup tournament.
Through fierce wind, both teams persevered, showcasing phenomenal talent in the first few minutes of the game with the one of the only two tries being scored within the first eight minutes.
Ben-Jason Dixon, Maties captain, continued to utilise try-scoring tactics but pivot Reinhardt Fortuin was unfortunately not able to add the extras.
Neither Maties nor Ikeys were able to score further match points before the strategy break due to the wind. The game continued into the second quarter, with the 5-0 score to Maties remaining unchanged.
As the game progressed into the second-half, the wind continued to blow. Prop Ashywn Adams from Ikeys was taken off the field following a painful collision. In his place, Luthando Woji was sent onto the field who, alongside flanker Neil Otto, was a powerful force. FNB Maties made only two additional player changers during the game with speedster Mike Mavovana and flanker Joa Swart coming on.
Maties centre, Cornel Smit kicked a magnificent penalty, giving Maties an 8-0 lead. Tension rose in the Danie Craven as scrumhalf Kyle Bowman scored a try for Ikeys, with flyhalf James Tedder converting to make it a one-point game going into the last few minutes of the match.
In the end Maties won the match by the skin of their teeth with the scoreboard reading 8 points to Ikeys’ 7 when the referee blew the final whistle.
It was a close call for the Maroon Machine as for a minute, it appeared as if Ikeys were close to becoming the first team to leave Danie Craven with a victory in the last 20 games. The game also saw prominent figures on the stand including Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi and former Springbok, Schalk Brits.
Monday night saw the continuation of an age old rivalry between FNB Maties and FNB Ikeys at Danie Craven stadium. Luck was fortunately on Maties side as they ended off with a hard fought win, accomplishing their 21st consecutive home win in the FNB Varsity Cup tournament.
Through fierce wind, both teams persevered, showcasing phenomenal talent in the first few minutes of the game with the one of the only two tries being scored within the first eight minutes.
Ben-Jason Dixon, Maties captain, continued to utilise try-scoring tactics but pivot Reinhardt Fortuin was unfortunately not able to add the extras.
Neither Maties nor Ikeys were able to score further match points before the strategy break due to the wind. The game continued into the second quarter, with the 5-0 score to Maties remaining unchanged.
As the game progressed into the second-half, the wind continued to blow. Prop Ashywn Adams from Ikeys was taken off the field following a painful collision. In his place, Luthando Woji was sent onto the field who, alongside flanker Neil Otto, was a powerful force. FNB Maties made only two additional player changers during the game with speedster Mike Mavovana and flanker Joa Swart coming on.
Maties centre, Cornel Smit kicked a magnificent penalty, giving Maties an 8-0 lead. Tension rose in the Danie Craven as scrumhalf Kyle Bowman scored a try for Ikeys, with flyhalf James Tedder converting to make it a one-point game going into the last few minutes of the match.
In the end Maties won the match by the skin of their teeth with the scoreboard reading 8 points to Ikeys’ 7 when the referee blew the final whistle.
It was a close call for the Maroon Machine as for a minute, it appeared as if Ikeys were close to becoming the first team to leave Danie Craven with a victory in the last 20 games. The game also saw prominent figures on the stand including Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi and former Springbok, Schalk Brits.
With the win, Maties are now at the top of the Varsity Cup log. Maties 8th man Marcel Theunissen was awarded FNB Player That Rocks and captain Ben-Jason Dixon was awarded the Steers Kinging Moment Award.
