Varsity College stuns NWU at USSA Champs

Varsity College delivered a crushing blow to North West University’s hopes at the 2015 USSA (University Sport South Africa) Championship, while defending champions University of Pretoria stayed on course for a hat-trick, and their 10th overall title at Port Shepstone Country Club on Friday.

Pukke, the runners-up in 2014, hoped to have another shot at Tuks, but Varsity College squashed their aspirations with a convincing 4 – 2 victory to reach the final.

The two teams drew in the Foursomes, but VC 1 took charge in the Singles.

Shane Martin downed Rikus Vermooten 5&4, Michael Ryan beat Riaan Swart 5&4 and Clayton Mansfield eliminated Francois Kruger 3&1.

Tuks 1, meanwhile, came up trumps in a tough battle against Central University of Technology Free State.

The two opponents also drew the Foursomes 1-all and Ryan Lane took first blood for Tuks 1 with a 4&3 victory.

Skipper Marco Loubser defeated ABW van Zyl 1-up to boost their tally, but TK Ramthinyane hit back for CUT, defeating Stephen Morrison 1-up to up the ante.

Reinhardt Blaauw came through, though, and claimed a crucial half point for Tuks 1 when he squared his game against JB Smit and secure 3.5 – 2.5 result.

Centurion Academy and North West University Pukke 2 will contest the B-Division final, while North West University Vaal will face off against Stellenbosch University 2 for the Cup Champions honour in the C-Division.

VC manager Jolene Mortimer said the first team is thrilled to have reached the final.

“Our first team has been exceptionally strong in this year’s competition,” Mortimer said.

“We are also really proud of our second team that weathered a strong assault from Rhodes 2 to triumph 5.5 – 0.5. It was a trying day on all fronts, but our boys outplayed their opponents and made Varsity College history by reaching the final.

“Tomorrow is D-Day for the team and we look forward to challenging for the USSA Championship title.”

SEMI-FINAL RESULTS (RS = result)
Varsity College 1 BEAT North West University Pukke 1 RS 4 – 2
University of Pretoria BEAT Central University of Technology Free State RS 3.5 – 2.5
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 2 BEAT Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 1 RS 3.5 – 2.5
University of Pretoria 2 BEAT Stellenbosch University 1 RS 3.5 – 2.5
Centurion Academy 1 BEAT University of Johannesburg 1 RS 5 – 1
North West University Pukke 2 BEAT Cape Peninsula University of Technology 1 RS 4 – 2
Varsity College 2 BEAT Rhodes University 1 RS 5.5 – 0.1
University of Cape Town 1 BEAT Rhodes University 2 RS 3.5 – 2.5
North West University Vaal BEAT University of Johannesburg 2 R 5 – 1
Stellenbosch University 2 BEAT University of Cape Town 2 RS 4.5 – 1.5
Cape Peninsula University of Technology – Bye
University of Zululand – Bye

Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the USSA Championship and the South African Golf Association.

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