Shimlas hold on for narrow win against FNB UJ
With a nail-biting victory, Shimlas managed to overcome FNB UJ at the last minute in the third round of the FNB Varsity Cup.
The FNB UFS Shimlas held on for a narrow 49–45 win against the FNB UJ at Shimla Park during the third round of the FNB Varsity Cup.
In what was a thriller written in two halves, Shimlas dominated the opening 40 minutes, but the Orange Army fought like Trojans after half-time.
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Shimlas wasted no time in registering the first points of the match, with fiery flanker Ramon Uys crossing the try line. Flyhalf Bradley Giddy slotted the conversion and added a monster 55m penalty shortly after. UJ struck back through hooker Ryan Marimo, but their joy was short-lived as Uys went over for his brace.
Centre Adriano Jackson managed to score a point-of-origin try for UJ, reducing the deficit to just three points. However, a try by hooker Vice Hofmeyer, and a point-of-origin try by scrumhalf Hlumelo Klaas, saw Shimlas secure a bonus point and take a commanding 40–14 lead at half-time.
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In the second 40-minute period, UJ took the game to the defending champions, capitalising as the home team played with 14 men for 20 minutes following yellow cards to loosehead prop Ntokozo Hlophe and replacement forward Marno Stopforth.
A second try by Jackson, along with scores from Dylan Viljoen, Ughan Africa, and Alzeadon Felix, nearly saw UJ over the line. However, they were denied by a crucial seven-point try from Lilitha Lunqe, which put the game out of reach.
For the second week in a row, Ramon Uys earned the right to wear the pink shorts, claiming the Player that Rocked accolade.
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