FNB-Wits (in blue) face relegation to the Varsity Shield league owing to their dismal performance in the Varsity Cup. Photo: File.
Wits Rugby has lost yet another game leaving the team at the bottom of the Varsity Cup league log facing relegation.
The team finished 16-8 in a rain-drenched match against NWU-Pukke in Potchefstroom last night.
Wits showed a fighting spirit from the onset but despite their perseverance Pukke fought a little harder to maintain top position in the league.
Stalemate
Pukke started the game strongest, taking advantage of home territory to dominate possession.
After the first break, the home side launched a strong attack, leaving Wits’s defence vulnerable. Jacques Vermaak earned the first try of the game giving Pukke 8 points on the board.
Wits made successive breaks for the Pukke tryline but failed each time .
As if this was not unfortunate enough for the Witsies, Brent Crossely received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle 27 minutes into the game. Being a man down did not discourage the Boytjies in blue as they continued to give their all.
After half time the hosts remained determined to consolidate their lead, while Wits camped just outside their opponent’s try line but falling short of a try.
Wits finally scores
[pullquote align=”right”]They gave everything on the night[/pullquote]After 62 minutes Phillip de Wet scored again for Pukke, putting them 16-0 up. Wits responded quickly, with fullback Ruhan Nel scoring the first try for Wits in the 64th minute.
With the scores close at 16-8 and both teams searching for victory, the final 15 minutes of the game were tense.
With under 10 minutes to go a tactical move from Wits saw the introduction of hooker James Marx to the field with only 7 minutes left in the game. NWU-Pukke however remained determined to hold on to their lead and managed to keep Wits out.
Pukke captain Devin Montgomery acknowledged Wits’ fighting spirit: “Credit goes to Wits, they came out,” Montgomery said. He was not happy with the points scored by his team but was still happy with a victory.
Wits has not won a single game this season and are 8th on the log with only 3 points. They need to win their match against the winners of the lower league The Varsity Shield in order to avoid relegation to that league.
