Lions hang on to beat Griquas

2008-07-19 18:42

Kimberley - Leading 24-5 at half-time, the Lions eventually defeated Griquas 36-32 in an exciting climax to the Absa Currie Cup match played in ideal conditions at Absa Park, Kimberley, on Saturday afternoon.

Playing all-out running rugby, the enterprising Lions were good value for their 19 points lead at the changeover.

Going into the final quarter of the match, Griquas still trailed by 19 and skipper Cobus Grobbelaar and his team with five tries to Griquas' two must have been confident of victory.

Perhaps a little too confident because suddenly Griquas' mistake-riddled performance to this point in the game went out of the window and in a remarkable 21 points in 14 minutes conclusion to the match, Griquas ran in four tries to one by the Lions (this an intercept effort by wide-awake centre Doppies la Grange) to almost clinch an unlikely victory.

Ironically for the home team, three of their four tries in the exciting climax to the match were scored by Griqua replacements.

In the end, it was Griquas? six tries to their opponents five that earned them two bonus points to their opponent?s full-house five points.

Though Griquas hardly deserved to win the match, it was a pity for the home team that, on the day, all three of the kickers they used were found wanting with late replacement fly-half Tobie Botes being the most successful with a solitary conversion success out of three attempts.

Point-scorers:

Griquas:

Tries (6): Scrum-half Sarel Pretorius (in the opening minute), right-wing Egon Seconds, lock Wayne van Heerden, replacement full-back Bjorn Basson, replacement left-wing MJ Mentz, replacement flank Rohan Kitshoff

Kicks: Replacement fly-half Tobie Botes

Lions

Tries(5): Left-wing Louis Ludik 2, man-of-the-match hooker Willie Wepener 2, centre Doppies la Grange

Kicks: Full-back Earl Rose: Penalty 1, conversions 4.

- SAPA