GWK Griquas just managed to hold on to a win against the Platinum Leopards in Potchefstroom on Friday night, by 34 points to 33, and collected 5 points into the bargain.
BUT, it was once again their tackling and defence that let them down dramatically. Leopards led 19-13 at half time. Leopards flyhalf, Cecil Dumond, kicked two penalties in the first 5 minutes of the match, for his team to take an early 6 nil lead, but after Griquas full back, Riaan Viljoen, returned a long range penalty compliment, their wing, Trompie Nontshinga went over for the first try of the match, converted by Naas Olivier, for the visitors to take the lead for the first time in the match, 10-6. However this was short lived, when in the 21st minute, Dumond kicked another penalty, shortly followed by a try by Leopards left wing, Shuaib Samaai, converted by Dumond, putting the home side back in the lead by 16-10. With 8 minutes left in the half, Olivier, Griquas fly half succeeded in putting over a penalty, closing the gap to 3 points, but just before the break, Dumond had the last say, kicking a penalty to take the half time score to 19-13, in favour of the Platinum Leopards.
In the third minute of the second half, Ryno Barnes, Griquas hooker caught the Leopards napping and went over for his teams second try, converted by Olivier. Shortly thereafter, Dumond snatched the lead back for his team with a penalty, but in the 12th minute, GWK Griquas center, Barry Geel scored the third try for the visitors, converted by Naas Olivier. Five minutes later, Leopards snatched a try back, due to poor defence and tackling on the part of Griquas, when right wing, Hendrik Dames scored his team’s last try, which went unconverted. Fourteen minutes left in the match and it was the turn of Griquas right wing, Bjorn Basson to score the fourth and bonus point try for the visitors, well converted by Olivier, putting Griquas in a commanding lead on 34-27. But Griquas were penalized twice for infringements, before the final whistle, allowing Dumond the bring his team’s score to a single point, with 7 minutes left in the match. Cecil Dumond attempted a drop goal, with only three minutes left, in an effort to snatch victory, but alas, the ball sailed passed the upright, to great relief of the GWK Griqua players. Final score 34 to GWK Griquas and 33 to the Platinum Leopards.
Point Scorers: Platinum Leopards; Tries Shuaib Samaai and Hendrik Dames, Conversion Cecil Dumond and penalties Dumond 7. Total 33
GWK Griquas; Tries Trompie Nontshinga, Ryno BarnesBarry Geel and Bjorn Basson, conversions Naas Olivier 4 and penalties Riaan Viljoen and Olivier. Total 34.
Man of the Match was Davon Raubenheimer
|
