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Defending champions Tuks overcame a major obstacle in defeating Ikeys 38-30 in seesawing Varsity Cup encounter in Pretoria on Monday night.
Nico Luus' charges were, by all accounts, the better side in what became a distinctly damp affair from a big storm on the Highveld, but they weren't able to translate that advantage into a more substantial margin due to their own waywardness.
In the end, the hosts required a 79th minute try from Bulls scrumhalf Bernard van der Linde, who cheekily placed the ball over the try-line amidst a host of bodies after they showed admirable patience in hammering away.
Ironically, it was the type of control that was lacking at times previously.
READ | WATCH | Galloping Shimlas lock Thabang Mahlasi lights up Varsity Cup with sublime attacking play
That was none more evident than in the first quarter, where Tuks would invariably lose the initiative almost immediately after scoring points.
Flanker Dian Schoonees, who would claim a brace, had given them an ideal start with a fine point-of-origin score only to have Ikeys fullback Duran Koevort hit back.
It was the same case following winger Kabelo Mokoena rounding off a flowing attacking move, before hooker Alex Castle clawed a score back from close range for the visitors.
In fact, Castle's second, scored under similar circumstances, threatened to grant Ikeys a crucial 21-14 advantage, especially after Tuks blindsider Orateng Koikanyang was yellow carded for repeated infringements by his team.
Koevort turned villian shortly afterwards when he was sent to the sin-bin, an opportunity gleefully exploited by the home side when Zander Snyders went over to leave the scores deadlocked at 21-all at half-time.
Schoonees was on hand to score his second early in the second half, but a moment of inspiration from Ikey pivot Dean Hayes, who launched a brilliant chip over the top for Koevort to cross the whitewash again, meant what looked like a comfortable run-in for Tuks turned into a one-point scrap again.
With the rain pelting down again, Tuks though decided to keep things tighter and were eventually rewarded by Van der Linde's clincher.
Meanwhile, the Shimlas remain the only unbeaten side in this year's tournament following another entertaining 48-27 victory over CUT Ixias, a contest illuminated by a superb showing from lock and skipper Thabang Mahlasi.
Maties were too strong for Wits as they claimed a 37-10 win in Stellenbosch, while UWC hammered the Madibaz 60-26.
The comeback of the night belonged to UJ, who produced a compelling second half performance to topple the NWU Eagles 35-14 after trailling 7-14 at the break.
