Griquas back on track
Sarel Pretorius
Kimberly – Griquas celebrated their first game under new floodlights witha resounding 58-25 win over the Pumas in a Currie Cup game played on Friday evening.
After suffering a 47-point loss to Western Province a week ago, Griquas got their campaign back on track.
In the process, Griquas continued their dominance over the Pumas
in the Currie Cup, especially at home where they’ve only lost once (in 2001) since both teams made their comeback to the Premier Division in 1996.
Rocco Jansen, who was a late replacement for Bjorn Basson on the wing, finished brilliantly in the left-hand corner for the first try under the lights.
Fullback Riaan Viljoen, who had a rather disappointing game against WP started in the same fashion, grubbering a kick-through leading to a penalty for the visitors.
The first time he decided to rather attack, it very nearly led to a try for his team. It did earn them three points through the boot of Naas Viljoen who missed an earlier attempt at goal.
The Pumas came to Kimberley with fight and responded with a try by flyhalf Elgar Watts from the restart. After a patient build-up, lock Willem Serfontein offloaded nicely to his Watts who had little difficulty in dotting down.
They really seemed to struggle keeping hold of the ball. The Pumas handling was more secure and on the stroke of the first quarter, Shaun Venter’s pace was too much for Olivier and he ran in a converted try.
A moment of brilliance earned Griquas their second try, Olivier seemed to be playing wide, but Viljoen received a pass on the inside which caught the Pumas napping and earned them seven vital points to reduce the deficit to two points (15-17).
A Second Watts penalty made it 20-15 for the Pumas, but scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius, who once again had a standout performance, quickly tapped and scored.
Olivier’s conversion gave them a narrow 22-20 lead at halftime.
Olivier kicked his second penalty of the night, but the Pumas, playing in their custom new set of jerseys after the break, levelled matters again with their third try by flanker Alwyn Bester.
The lead changed hands again as Griquas score their fourth try.
Frikkie Spies muscled his way over the line for a well deserved five-pointer as he was one of the standout players on the night.
That seemed to inspire Griquas to improve their performance.
They were very impressive in the last quarter, adding four more tries, including another beauty by Viljoen.
Point scorers:
Griquas:
Tries: Jansen, Viljoen (2), Pretorius (2), Spies,
Kemp, Voight.
Conversions: Olivier (6).
Penalties: Olivier (2).
Pumas:
Tries: Watts, Venter, Bester.
Conversions: Watts (2).
Penalties: Watts (2)
Teams:
Griquas:
15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Richard Lawson, 13. Wilmaure Louw, 12. Matthew Rosslee, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Naas Olivier (captain), 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Leon Karemaker, 7. Davon Raubenheimer, 6. Rohan Kitshoff, 5. Cecil-John Kemp, 4. Frederik Albertus Spies, 3. Jacobus Petrus Adriaanse, 2. Ryno Barnes, 1. Steph Roberts
Replacements: 16. Simon Westraadt, 17. Jean Botha, 18. Michael John Richard Passaportis, 19. Danie Burger Schoeman, 20. Marnus Hugo, 21. Barry Geel, 22. Rocco Reginald Jansen
Pumas:
15. Carl Bezuidenhout, 14. Duwayne Enslin Smart, 13. Tiaan Marx, 12. Tian Carel Meyer, 11. Shaun Venter, 10. Elgar Watts, 9. Jacques Coetzee, 8. Christo le Roux, 7. Alwyn Bester, 6. Corne Steenkamp (captain), 5. Willem Jacob Serfontein, 4. Andries Kruger, 3. Ashley Buys, 2. Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1. Ronnie Uys
Replacements: 16. Hannes Franklin, 17. De-Jay Terblanche, 18. Roelof Steyn, 19. Marius Coetzer, 20. Jaco Bouwer, 21. Ricardo Croy, 22. Vainon Shanon Willis
[South African Press Association]
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