The North-West University Pukke ran great lines of interference and tackled like demons as they held defending champions and hosts the University of Johannesburg to just a 4-2 victory in their Varsity Hockey match on Saturday.

Pukke were hammered 8-3 by Wits on the first day and UJ were expected to post a similar scoreline as they looked to edge ahead of their neighbours at the top of the log on goal-difference. But UJ gave an unfocused display, marked by lapses in concentration, and they never managed to get any rhythm in the final game of the second day of the men’s Varsity Hockey competition.

With a star-studded line-up, UJ were just crying out for someone to spark them, but nothing happened until the start of the final quarter when they were finally inspired by Southern Gauteng B player Gerald Mpopo, who produced big plays on defence and attack that led to the crucial goal by Ryan Crowe that took UJ from a dicey 3-2 up to their eventual 4-2 winning margin.

A fine run by Crowe, finished by a good reverse-sticks shot by Nicolas Rowe, opened the scoring for UJ in the seventh minute and Pukke’s chances looked up the pole just two minutes later when Kingsley Botes went on a fine run down the left and then cut inside to the top of the D and fired home to make it 2-0.

It was a short-lived advantage, however, as Pukke struck back with a superb goal – a magnificent reverse-sticks strike by Killian Ludick into the roof of the net two minutes before the end of the first quarter.

UJ scored next though, just two minutes after the restart, although it was an unfortunate goal for Pukke to concede. Another tremendous run by Crowe set up a short-corner, but Stean Naude did superb work clearing a couple of shots off the line until his goalkeeper, Lyndan Schutte, unfortunately stumbled backwards and the ball bounced off his back and into goal! James Gilbert was credited with getting the last touch for UJ.

Schutte made up for it though with some superb saves in the rest of the third quarter and, combined with the tough tackling of the defenders, leaving the UJ dribblers with sore shins and dented pride, it meant the hosts went into the final quarter frustrated with a 3-1 lead.

And they would see that cut to 3-2 four minutes into the last chukka when their ball-watching defence allowed Gertjie Lamprecht too much space. The experienced North-West men’s player had time to pick his spot and, as he ran from left to right in the circle, he fired a great shot into the far corner.
UJ needed an inspirational figure and it was Mpopo.

Firstly, he hassled Pukke with tremendous determination in defence, forcing them into losing possession. From there UJ motored into the Pukke circle and Mpopo, strong and composed on the ball, drew the short-corner.
Themba Twani, a gutsy defender for Pukke, took a blow to the head as he deflected the first shot, but UJ remained on attack. Mpopo then produced a lovely swerve to beat a defender and a pinpoint pass to Crowe, who provided a top-class finish into the top corner.

Pukke were 4-2 down and they were left with a mountainous task when two players were yellow-carded for over-robust tackles in the last 10 minutes, although just the thin frame of Courtney Halle’s stick stood between them and a third goal when he stopped an aerial shot in the goalmouth.

Needing to win by seven goals to go above Wits on the log, it was a night of lean pickings for UJ and they certainly did not look the Mean Machine of the previous evening when they beat Maties.

FNB Player of the Match: Gerald Mpopo (UJ)

Samsung Super Striker: Ryan Crowe (UJ)

By Ken Borland