ORC Griquas cling to slender lead in Absa Currie Cup qualifying race
The ORC Griquas maintained their slender one point lead in the Absa Currie Cup qualifying race thanks to their 57-33 win over the Hino Valke in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, on Saturday while the Leopards stayed in the hunt by beating Boland Cavaliers 61-17 in Potchefstroom.
Heading into the final round of matches next week, the Griquas and Leopards are the only teams in contention for the qualifying spot to the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division. Griquas are in front on 21 points, with the Leopards nipping at their heels on 20.
Down Touch Griffons put in a powerful second half performance to beat the Border Bulldogs 43-20 despite trailing by five points at the break. The win lifted the Griffons from the basement to fourth on the log while SWD Eagles, who were not in action over the weekend, slipped to last place.
Click on the score links below for detailed match reports, while the competition stats are available in the match centre.
ORC Griquas 57 (33) Hino Valke 33 (7)
At the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park the Kimberley-based side scored nine tries and the bonus point means they maintain their slender advantage over the Leopards. Wing Kyle Hendricks was outstanding for the home side and scored four tries, including a hat-trick in the second half when the Valke stormed back from a 7-33 deficit.
AJ Coertzen (wing, 2), Carel Greeff (No 8), Tian Meyer (scrumhalf) and Jonathan Francke (centre) all scored for Griquas in a one-sided first half, while Gouws Prinsloo (fullback) kicked the conversions. Hendricks’ converted try was the only reply from Valke. Griquas continued their try onslaught in the second stanza, with Ntabeni Dukisa (wing), Clinton Swart (centre), Hugo Kloppers (lock) and Greeff each dotting down put the game beyond the Valke’s reach. Hendricks, who impressed all afternoon for the home side, ran in three tries as Griquas took their foot off the gas in the latter stages.
Scorers:
ORC Griquas 57 (33) – Tries: AJ Coertzen (2), Carel Greeff (2), Tian Meyer, Hugo Kloppers, Jonathan Francke, Clinton Swart, Ntabeni Dukisa. Conversions: Gouws Prinsloo (6).
Hino Valke 33 (7) – Tries: Kyle Hendricks (4), Arno Poley. Conversions: Juan Kotze (4).
Leopards 61 (33) Boland Cavaliers 17 (10)
Dillon Smit (No 9) and Ryno Smith (No 15) both scored a brace of tries as the Leopards cruised to a comprehensive win over the Boland Cavaliers at Profert Olen Park in Potchefstroom. Scrumhalf Smit and fullback Smith were responsible for four of the Leopards’ nine tries while centre Adriaan Engelbrecht ended with 16 points as he kicked eight conversions. The Leopards were quick off the mark and they raced to a 26-0 lead in as many minutes.
Smit, Ashlon Davids (flyhalf), Smith and Tyler Fisher (centre) scored for the hosts while Boland’s Danwel Demas replied with their only try of the first half. After the break it was one-way traffic as the Leopards added to their score through tries from Adriaan Vermeulen (left wing), Sizo Maseko (replacement wing), Smith and Damian Engeldoe (right wing). Boland only managed a converted try through fullback Eric Zana.
Scorers
Leopards – Tries: Dillon Smit (2), Ashlon Davids, Ryno Smith (2), Tyler Fisher, Adriaan Vermeulen, Sizo Maseko, Damian Engeldoe; Conversions: Adriaan Engelbrecht (8).
Boland Cavaliers – Tries: Arno Fortuin, Danwel Demas, Eric Zana; Conversion Christian Rust.
Down Touch Griffons 43 (15) Border Bulldogs 20 (6)
Nicky Steyn and Japie Nel both scored two tries each as the Down Touch Griffons delivered a strong second-half performance to beat the Bulldogs 43-20 at the Pelatona Projects Stadium in Welkom.
No 8 Steyn and inside centre Nel were responsible for four of the Griffons’ six tries as the home team claimed just their second win of campaign to move off the bottom of the table. The result was academic because both teams are out of the running for promotion. The first half was a tight affair which saw the Griffons battling their way to a nine-point lead.
Fullback Tertius Maarman and Steyn scored tries for Griffons and Franna du Toit slotted. Border fullback Logan Basson kicked two penalties in the first half action. Griffons were in command in the second half which started on a good note for them when Steyn crashed over for his second try just after the restart. Border managed a penalty try, but Griffons secured the win thanks to tries from left wing Enver Brandt and two efforts from Nel.
Scorers:
Down Touch Griffons – Tries: Tertius Maarman, Nicky Steyn (2), Enver Brandt, Japie Nel (2), Conversions: Franna du Toit (2), Louis Strydom (3); Penalty: Du Toit.
Border Bulldogs – Tries: Penalty Try, Drex Mapimpi; Conversion: Thembani Mkokeli, Oliver Zono; Penalties: Logan Basson (2).
The abbreviated Absa Currie Cup Qualifier log standings:
Team
Played
Won
Lost
Points
Griquas
5
4
1
21
Leopards
5
4
1
20
Boland Cavaliers
6
2
4
13
Griffons
5
2
3
10
Border
5
2
3
10
Valke
5
2
3
9
SWD
5
1
4
8
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