7th round nightmares for UJ and Wits
Tough week for Wits and UJ as the end of the season looms.
The pressure is mounting on the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Wits University after losing their 7th round FNB Varsity Cup fixtures on March 28.
UJ took on the University of the Free State (UFS) and lost 26–37 while Wits lost to the University of Pretoria 24–39.
UJ hosted the team from the Free State and got off to a good start thanks to a try and conversion from Mpho Kubheka and Jonathan Viljoen respectively, within the first three minutes. The crowd was stunned shortly afterwards as UFS scored a Point of Origin try to level the score at 7–7 after eight minutes.
UFS increased their lead to 16–7 courtesy of another Point of Origin try and successful conversion after 25 minutes of play. UJ fought back with a try, Point of Origin try and two conversions to end the half 23–16 in their favour.
However, UFS tied the game once again 10 minutes into the second half with a try and conversion but UJ were awarded a penalty to take the lead once more. It was all UFS from there as they stormed past UJ scoring a couple of tries and conversions for the 37–26 win.
Wits had their first points on the board in the 14th minute due to a Dameon Venter try followed by a Chris Humphries conversion. UP tied the game with a monster Point of Origin try and took the lead with a conversion in the 20th minute. After a successful Wits penalty, the Joburg side lead 10–9 but UP bagged another Point of Origin try followed by conversion and penalty to lead 21–10.
The half ended 21–17 thanks to a Wits try and conversion by Setshaba Mokoena and Humphries respectively. UP took control of the second half securing two tries and a conversion by the 55th minute to lead 33–17.
Wits tried to fight back scoring a try and conversion of their own but UP were awarded two penalties in the 73rd and 77th minute ultimately handing them the 39–24 win.
