The FNB Emeris Comets edged a spirited FNB CUT side to record their first-ever win in the FNB Varsity Cup on Monday night at Emeris Durban North.
Both sides showed endeavour throughout as the home side managed to hold on for a historic first win in the competition.
It was even in the early exchanges, with both sides happy to run the ball and put the opposing defence under pressure.
The Comets managed to put together a sustained period of attack and CUT wing Jade Muller was given a yellow card for a deliberate knockdown after 15 minutes.
After 18 minutes it was the Comets who scored first through captain Jacques Marais, who went over from a driving maul. It was just reward for some strong pressure from the home side.
Understanding the significance of every point, Drico Marx kicked the conversion to give the Comets a 7-0 lead.
Just after the strategy break it was the Comets who struck again when Thando Luthuli went over from a sweeping move across the field.
The Comets backed themselves with a power play and fullback Chijindu Okonta shrugged off the CUT defence to score.
Those tries gave Emeris a 17-0 advantage after 24 minutes.
CUT then struck on the stroke of half-time when they went over for their first try through wing Jade Muller after what seemed like a never-ending passage of play.
They opted for the power play but were unsuccessful as the half ended with Emeris leading 17-7.
BATTLE OF ATTRITION
It was the perfect start to the second half as the Comets scored a minute into it when Okonta crossed for his second try. It was a ranging move as the fullback fought off defenders to score in the corner.
Marx converted to extend the lead to 26-7.
CUT then hit back right away with a try of their own through centre Matthys Malan.
The power play was successful for CUT as Muller went over for his second try to narrow the gap to 26-17 after 47 minutes.
The Comets also lost Christoff Etzebeth to a yellow card for repeated infringements on their own line.
Things got more difficult for the Comets in the 58th minute when Meno Barnard was yellow-carded.
This resulted in a try for CUT, with centre Winton Abrahams scoring from close range.
Flyhalf Kehan Myburgh converted to make it a two-point gap, with the Comets leading 26-24 after 59 minutes.
The rest of the half was a battle of attrition as the visiting side tried to run the ball. However, the Comets’ defence was resolute through the final 20 minutes.
The Comets’ defence held firm as they had to repel CUT, who continued to keep the ball in hand.
Ultimately it was the Comets who held out for a historic 26-24 victory over CUT.
SCORES
FNB Emeris Comets 26 Tries: Chijindu Okonta (2), Jacques Marais, Thando Luthuli Conversions: Drico Marx (2)
FNB CUT 24 Tries: Jade Muller (2), Winton Abrahams, Matthys Malan Conversions: Kehan Myburgh
Article: Courtesy of Podmedia
IMAGE: FNB Emeris Comets fullback Chijindu Okonta scores his second try. © Gerhard Duraan/Varsity Cup)