Round 2 of Varsity Women’s 7s showed that this inaugural tournament may well not be dominated by UP-Tuks.
In the pick of the round’s matches, UJ and UP-Tuks met in a Gauteng derby. Based on the early display of rugby, it was clear why UP-Tuks are favourites to make the final. Tuks drew first blood in the first stanza and grew into the half as the game progressed. By the halftime whistle, the Stripe Generation’s two unanswered tries saw them hold onto a 14-0 lead.
The Orange Army slowly clawed back and scored a try in the early in the second stanza to halve the deficit. Spurred on by that momentum, UJ scored another try – unconverted – to be within reach. The experience of the UP-Tuks squad was evident, however, as they managed to hold on to a narrow 14-12 victory.
Not long after, UFH took on UKZN and the tactical brilliance of the ladies from Fort Hare saw them activate the Powerplay early on and scored a 10-point try. Fort Hare were like a house on fire and scored another two quickfire tries as they were ruthless on attack to hold a 27-0 halftime lead.
UKZN in the second half were more compact in defence and even managed to bag a try and a conversion to put some respect to the shoreline. UKZN couldn’t pounce on their Powerplay and it was UFH that won the match 27-7 and brought a wrap to day one of the Varsity Women’s 7s tournament.
VARSITY WOMEN’S 7S ROUND 2 RESULTS
UP-Tuks 14 UJ 12
UFH 27 UKZN 7
By Nkosinathi Shazi
