It was a a disappointing start to the Varsity Shield season for the University of Fort Hare Blues as they went down to the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in front of passionate home support at the Davidson Rugby Stadium in Alice on Monday night.
The Blues went down 15-8 in the end after a ferocious defensive effort was not enough to keep out the attacking UWC team, with a try after the hooter making the score look more respectable for the home side.
It was a carnival atmosphere in Alice as the match formed a part of Fort Hare’s centenary celebrations and there was much anticipation from the fans hoping to see their team start off on a positive note.
However, it was not to be as UWC ran in three tries to one, transferring their dominant territory and possession into points when it counted.
Fort Hare’s defence was superb throughout and the scoreline could have been a lot bigger if not for the well-drilled defensive unit with the forwards and backs both making massive hits and steals.
The match kicked off with both teams making a few early handling errors.
A mistake from UWC almost saw Fort Hare winger Asiphe Fihla steal in for an early try after he charged down an attempted clearance on the 22m line. However, he was tackled on the five, with UWC eventually clearing.
Both sides battled at the set-pieces, with the lineouts a particular problem.
UWC were soon into their groove and by the 15th minute of the match UWC had 80% possession, which wasn’t helped by Blues flyhalf Siviwe Bisset missing touch twice when Fort Hare received penalties.
Despite looking threatening UWC met a solid wall of resistance that would not let them through until some ill discipline from Fort Hare brought the first points.
While on attack on Fort Hare’s 22m, Blues outside centre Luyolo Batshise made a monster hit on one of the UWC backs, with the ensuing maul bringing a penalty for Fort Hare.
However, the penalty was then overturned by the ref after Fort Hare players were heard back chatting and swearing with the ref giving them a warning.
UWC kicked the penalty to touch, secured it and mauled over the line with UWC captain and man-of-the-match Philbrey Joseph dotting down for the first of his two tries in the 27th minute.
The rest of the half was played mostly in Fort Hare territory, with only a break down the wing from Fihla, who bumped off an attempted tackle, getting the fans out their seats.
At only 5-0 down at the break the Blues were still in it, but they needed to keep hold of the ball more.
Despite improving on this in the second half, UWC still looked more likely to score and so they did as Joseph went over for his second try in the 61st minute.
UWC reserve scrum half Jason Marcus sealed the win in the 78th minute, scoring their third unconverted try of the game.
Blues fullback Akhona Matutu threw an outrageous hand offload to Fihla who sprinted in to score the consolation try, with Bisset adding the extras.
Fort Hare showed how dangerous they can be on attack and, if they can hold onto the ball more, will be a dangerous team as their defence was out of the top draw.
UWC take their chances to overpower brave Blues
The Blues went down 15-8 in the end after a ferocious defensive effort was not enough to keep out the attacking UWC team, with a try after the hooter making the score look more respectable for the home side.
It was a carnival atmosphere in Alice as the match formed a part of Fort Hare’s centenary celebrations and there was much anticipation from the fans hoping to see their team start off on a positive note.
However, it was not to be as UWC ran in three tries to one, transferring their dominant territory and possession into points when it counted.
Fort Hare’s defence was superb throughout and the scoreline could have been a lot bigger if not for the well-drilled defensive unit with the forwards and backs both making massive hits and steals.
The match kicked off with both teams making a few early handling errors.
A mistake from UWC almost saw Fort Hare winger Asiphe Fihla steal in for an early try after he charged down an attempted clearance on the 22m line. However, he was tackled on the five, with UWC eventually clearing.
Both sides battled at the set-pieces, with the lineouts a particular problem.
UWC were soon into their groove and by the 15th minute of the match UWC had 80% possession, which wasn’t helped by Blues flyhalf Siviwe Bisset missing touch twice when Fort Hare received penalties.
Despite looking threatening UWC met a solid wall of resistance that would not let them through until some ill discipline from Fort Hare brought the first points.
While on attack on Fort Hare’s 22m, Blues outside centre Luyolo Batshise made a monster hit on one of the UWC backs, with the ensuing maul bringing a penalty for Fort Hare.
However, the penalty was then overturned by the ref after Fort Hare players were heard back chatting and swearing with the ref giving them a warning.
UWC kicked the penalty to touch, secured it and mauled over the line with UWC captain and man-of-the-match Philbrey Joseph dotting down for the first of his two tries in the 27th minute.
The rest of the half was played mostly in Fort Hare territory, with only a break down the wing from Fihla, who bumped off an attempted tackle, getting the fans out their seats.
At only 5-0 down at the break the Blues were still in it, but they needed to keep hold of the ball more.
Despite improving on this in the second half, UWC still looked more likely to score and so they did as Joseph went over for his second try in the 61st minute.
UWC reserve scrum half Jason Marcus sealed the win in the 78th minute, scoring their third unconverted try of the game.
Blues fullback Akhona Matutu threw an outrageous hand offload to Fihla who sprinted in to score the consolation try, with Bisset adding the extras.
Fort Hare showed how dangerous they can be on attack and, if they can hold onto the ball more, will be a dangerous team as their defence was out of the top draw.
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