The positives Tuks can take from the game, are their excellent start with winger Aaron Denenga’s gem of a try in the opening 10 minutes as well as the spirited fight back in the second half when they scored 17 points in 12 minutes to overtake Pukke on the score board (24-21).

On the down side Tuks made too many basic mistakes and paid the prize for it. If Boland referee Francois Veldsman is to be believed, Tuks have a major problem with their discipline. Two players were yellow carded (Franco Booysen in the first and Gertjie Smith in the second half), whilst the penalty count of 19-6 against the home team made for even more damning statistics.

Tuks lost a lot of momentum and initiative with the many penalties they conceded. Unfortunately it did not end there as Tuks’ ball retention, passing and tactical kicking left a lot to be desired.

These shortcomings can however be addressed before Tuks’ next game (on 8 February against UJ in the ABSA Tuks Stadium), but the injuries to Aaron Denenga, inside centre Franco Booysen, lock Francois van Wyk, flanker Warwick Tecklenberg and scrumhalf Ignick Windvogel could pose the biggest challenge as far as team selection goes.

The scorers:

For FNB Tukkies:

Tries: Aaron Denenga, Tiaan Nel, Dirk Dippenaar; Cons: Gertjie Smith (3); Pen: Smith.

For FNB Pukke:

Tries: Watermeyer, Mahoney (3); Cons: Kotze (3); Pens: Kotze (3).

Other results:

UJ 28, TUT Vikings 14; Maties 68, NMMU 20; Shimlas 30, UCT Tigers 30.