Try-fest as Shimlas outgun Maties in Varsity Cup opener

I WASN'T expecting to be captivated by the FNB Varsity Cup game between the FNB UFS Shimlas and FNB Maties, but the thrilling 50-39 victory for the Shimlas had me hooked. Ask anyone who knows me, sport is not my favourite thing to watch or follow. But last night, I was thoroughly entertained.

The game, played at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein, was a try-fest, with 13 tries scored in total. The Shimlas burst out of the blocks, racing into a 21-0 lead within the first 25 minutes, thanks to tries from Kirwin du Preez, Wynand Botha, and Jaco Bezuidenhout. But the Maties fought back, scoring seven tries, including the tournament's first-ever powerplay try, courtesy of CJ Marx.

Shimlas' Liam Shamburg was awarded Player of the Match for his standout performance, while captain Bradley Giddy kept his cool under pressure, slotting two long-range kicks to stretch the lead.

In the end, the Shimlas secured a memorable victory, made even sweeter by the tribute paid to legends Oom Tat Botha and Wessel Lightfoot.

I was impressed by the energy of the crowd and the skill of the players. Who knew I'd be cheering so loudly at a rugby match?

Match details:

• FNB UFS Shimlas vs FNB Maties
• Score: 50-39
• Venue: Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
• Player of the Match: Liam Shamburg (FNB UFS Shimlas)

Teams:

FNB UFS Shimlas:

Shaun Ray, Kirwin du Preez, Wynand Botha, Freddie Dreyer, Siviwe Zondani, Bradley Giddy (captain), Alastair-Cole Vermeulen, Liam Shamburg, Sandile Nzuza, Henri van Heerden, Maynard Kleynhans, Arno Van der Merwe, Ongeziwe Mobo, Jacobus Bezuidenhout, Ox Ngema

FNB Maties:

Elridge Jack, Rynhardt van der Linden, Ryan Manuel, CJ Marx, Huhgo Van Zitters, Christiaan van Heerden Smith, Ezekiel Ngobeni (captain), Ethan Snyman, Luan Botha, Fortune Mpofu, Luke Swartz, Zuko Poswa, Keanuh Michaels, Armand Combrinck, Janlu Basson.