With R1million at stake for the winner of the Vodacom Cup, GWK Griquas were beaten, 40-20, by a much better Vodacom Blue Bulls outfit, at Loftus Versveld on Friday night.
The home side got the match under way and in the first minute of the game, ex Griqua player, Tiger Mangweni, went over to score a converted try, after receiving a pass from team mate JP Joubert, with poor defence from Griquas. Next points on the board came in the 14th minute, via a penalty by Bulss flyhalf, Francois Brummer, 8 meters in from the touch line, putting the Bulls 10 nil ahead. But 3 minutes later, Griquas flyhalf, Naas Olivier, replied with a penalty to reduce the deficit to 10-3. In the 25th minute, Bulls winger, John Matmetsa gathered a rolling ball from a grubber kick to score near the posts , converted by Brummer, 17-3. However, 2 minutes later, Griquas ran from inside their own half, which resulted in prop, Albertus Buckle, barging over for his team’s first try, converted by Olivier, 17-10. From this try, Griquas were now bubbling with confidence and started playing better rugby, trapped the Bulls off side and Olivier succeded with the penalty, nudging the score closer to that of the Bulls, 17-13. With six minutes left in the half, Bulls were awarded a penalty, which Brummer had no trouble with, taking the halftime score to 20 points to 13, in favour of the home side.
The second half saw both teams battling to put points on the board, but in the 10th minute, Tiger Mangweni scored his second try of the match, after he received a definite forward pass, converted by Francois Brummer, taking the home side to a 27-13 lead, Brummer putting over a drop goal 3 minutes later, 30-13. Griquas never gave up, though and 8 minutes later, Cecil Kemp went over for Griquas second try, in front of the posts, converted by Naas Olivier, 30-20. In the 28th minute, Brummer succeeded with a penalty, but on the sound of the final hooter, Bull’s Rocco Jansen scored the final try of the match, converted by Brummer, to give his side the bonus point, and seal the match, 40-20 to the Blue Bulls. Griquas did play good rugby at times, but missed some opportunities and were unable to round off some of their movements and did not disgrace themselves..
Point Scorers: Vodacom Blue Bulls; Tries Tiger Mangweni 2, John Mametsa, Rocco Jansen, conversions, Francois Brummer 4, penalties Brummer3, drop goal Brummer. Total 40.
GWK Griquas; tries Albertus Buckle, Cecil Kemp, conversions Naas Oliver 2, penalties Olivier 2. Total 20. .
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