The University of the Witwatersrand were top of the standings at the start of the fourth day of Varsity Hockey, but that all changed at the University of Johannesburg on Monday as the University of Cape Town provided the surprise of the tournament thus far, beating them 3-1.
The result was a fair reward for the hard-running UCT side, who supported the ball-carrier well and made good use of the penalty corners they were awarded.
The Capetonians were first on the scoreboard in the 10th minute as Oliver Pretorius squeezed his low short-corner flick inside the right post.
Kevin Venter preserved the lead for UCT two minutes later with a glance off the line that would have had any cricketer purring as he denied Dylan Murray.
It was a speck of hope though for Wits, who needed something to get them going, and they did equalise in spectacular fashion in the 22nd minute. Jaryd Thomas pulled off a great tackle in midfield and then launched an attack, his long ball finding Brandon James, who drew the goalkeeper and then flipped the ball to the back of the circle, where Lukhanyo Salavu bunted the ball into goal with aplomb.
The score remained tied at 1-1 all the way through to the final chukka, until James Watters scored a fine goal for UCT in the 48th minute.
Although the powerplay they had just taken did not work out for them, Watters embarked on a run and fed Mike Gildenhuys, who fared well as he surged into the circle and then returned a cross to Watters, who steered the ball into the Wits goal.
UCT dominated the final quarter and completed the shock of the tournament thus far when the skills of Ross Schreuder earned them a short-corner and the drag-flicking talent of Pretorius did the rest as he fired in a super effort.
Even the use of the powerplay by Wits in the closing minutes could not save them from defeat, leaving Tuks top of the log.
With the experience of Gregg Clark, who served as the coach of the national team for six years, on their bench, it was obvious that UCT are coming right as the tournament heads to the Western Cape for the second and final leg.
Result:
UCT 3 (Oliver Pretorius 2, James Watters)
Wits 1 (Lukhanyo Salavu)
FNB Player of the Match: Oliver Pretorius (UCT)
Mugg & Bean Star Saver: Kevin Venter (UCT)
Samsung Super Striker: Lukhanyo Salavu (Wits)
By Ken Borland
