The University of Pretoria Tuks went to the top of the standings at the start of the final day of the Joburg leg of Varsity Hockey on Monday as they beat the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 3-1.
It was an evenly-contested game, but Tuks got the job done in the opposition circle, being more clinical with their finishing, which made all the difference in the end.
Richard Pautz was once again their leading goal-scorer, slotting two goals of his own and also setting up the penalty stroke that provided Tuks with their third goal.
The chances they wasted will irk Madibaz and they were inches away from scoring a second goal and putting Tuks under pressure in the final 10 minutes when Michael Abrahams slapped the ball over the goalkeeper but hit the corner of the post, following some superb skill by Ignatius Malgraff.
The SA international from East London grabbed the one goal for Madibaz as he found space in the circle and rammed the ball home with typical efficiency.
Pautz opened the scoring for Tuks in the 19th minute when he swept the ball into goal from the middle of the circle, but Malgraff’s equaliser came just a minute later.
But Pautz popped up again in the right place at the right time for Tuks 10 minutes into the second half as he hammered the ball into the goal from the back of the circle.
The 2014 African Hockey Championships player then showed some fantastic dribbling skills in the circle and, with his stick being interfered with from behind, umpire Gershwin Reid awarded the penalty stroke.
There was some delay as Madibaz asked for the review, but the decision was confirmed and Grant Glutz stepped up and beat the goalkeeper to give Tuks some breathing space.
Madibaz forced three short-corners thereafter, but time ran out for them in their search for their second win of the tournament.
Result:
Tuks 3 (Richard Pautz 2, Grant Glutz)
Madibaz 1 (Ignatius Malgraff)
FNB Player of the Match: Richard Pautz (Tuks)
Mugg & Bean Star Saver: Chad Durrheim (Madibaz)
Samsung Super Striker: Ignatius Malgraff (Madibaz)
By Ken Borland
