“I prefer to rather first focus on the positives we can take from the game. We scored five tries to claim our second bonus point of the season and are topping the log with full points from our first two matches. Another promising aspect is that our defence held steady as we have only conceded a single try so far,” remarked Marais.

“On the other hand we cannot be blind to the reasons for not being at the top of our game. It was to be expected that the team would need time to make the transition from the furious pace and intensity of Varsity Cup rugby to the slower, more physical and more disruptive nature of the Carlton League. In both our first matches we allowed our opponents to disrupt our game plan simply by us not executing it clinically enough. Every player will have to make the immediate mind shift that the 2011 Varsity Cup competition is past and that the Carlton League has its own challenges and goals. We will have to start playing in the present rather than lingering in the past as our next opponents, Centurion, will set a much bigger challenge than Naka and we will have to up our game considerably if we want to stay unbeaten.”

UP-Tuks 1 plays Centurion on Friday, 13 May at the TuksRugby Stadium (20:00 kick-off).

Marais says “fine tuning” is all that is needed to get UP-Tuks 1 to fire on all its cylinders.

“We have a gifted squad and only need to play to our full potential. I will have one on ones with all the players this week so that they know what I expect of them. Our performance against Naka was unacceptable and I told the players in no uncertain terms that I will not stand for it again. It was a timely wake-up call and it is up to us now to get our act together. “

Marais singled out centre Dabeon Draghoender and flankers Warwick Tecklenberg and Jacques Verwey for inspiring individual performances.

UP-Tuks 1’s tries were scored by Fanie Booysen (2), Jacques Verwey, Dabeon Draghoender and GD Kotzee. JC Roos succeeded with two conversions and Karlo Aspeling with a penalty goal.

Other Tuks results:
Tuks Fezelas 45, Naka Bulle II 12; Tuks Pumas 16, Naka Bulle III 13; Tuks Jongspan 120, Naka Bulle u.21 3; Tuks u.20A 69, Naka Bulle u.20A 0; Tuks u.19A 52, Centurion u.19A 5; TUT u.19A 38, Tuks o.19B 10; Polisie u.19B 31, Tuks Fezelas (u.19C) 15.