The Griquas hosted the Golden Lions in the second round of the Currie Cup this afternoon in Kimberley, South Africa. The Griquas won 36 / 31.

It certainly looks like the Lions have shot their last bolts in attempting to make the semi-spots, losing today in this hard fought match. Their chances are certainly still mathematicaaly alive, but only mathematically.

On the other hand, the Griquas are now on 38 Log Points and only need about 3 more points from 3 remaining games, to make the semi’s. 

Here is a match report from the Griquas web site:

GWK Griquas entertained Xerox Lions at Diamantveld High School facility in their Currie Cup fixture on Saturday afternoon.

The home side were soon in trouble when the Lions left wing Johan Jackson went over for a try in the far corner in the first minute, converted by Herkie Kruger. Griquas came back from the kick off with a penalty by Naas Olivier which he repeated 5 minutes later, taking Griquas to within one point of the Lions, 7-6. This was however short lived as Lions eighthman went over in the same place as their first try, conversion missed. The home team notched up another Olivier penalty in the 14^th minute, bring the score to 12-9 to the Lions. In the 28^th minute the Lions were awarded a penalty for off sides by Griquas which was kicked by Kruger to stretch the Lions lead tp 15-9, but 4 minutes from the halftime break, Naas O;livier returned the compliment, taking the score to 15-12 at halftime, in favour of the visitors.

Griquas got the second half off to a good start.with a penalty in the 4^th minute to even up the scores, but 4 minutes later, Herkie Kruger’s penalty gave the visitors the edge again by 3, 18-15. Griquas took the lead in the 14^th minute when winger Trompie Nonthsinga crossed the line, converted by Olivier, but 2 minutes later, Naas Olivier broke through the Lions defence to score under the posts, converted by himself, stretching Griquas lead to 29-18. Lions came back via a penalty when Sarel Pretorius, Griquas scrumhalf was yellow carded, 29-21. However, Lions came back strongly when center Alwyn Hollenbach broke the Griquas defence to score a converted  try, bringing the score to within one point of Griquas, 29-28. Lions grabbed the lead again by two when Kruger kicked a penalty, score 31 to the Lions and 29 to Griquas.Griquas snatched back the lead again, via a try by Sarel Pretorius converted by Naas Olivier, which was sufficient for GWK Griquas to win the match 36-31.

Man of the match Jacques Lombaard GWK Griquas.

Points:

Griquas: Tries Trompie Nonthsinga & Naas Olivier & Sarel Pretorius, Conversions Naas Olivier (3), Penalties Olivier (5)

Golden Lions: Tries Johan Jackson & Willem Alberts & Alwyn Hollenbach, Conversions Herkie Kruger (2), Penalties Kruger (4)

Teams:

Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Trompie Nontshinga, 13 Jaco Bekker, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Dewald Pretorius, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Jonathan Mokuena (captain),  Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Jacques Lombard, 4 Heinrich Stride, 3 Ruaan du Preez, 2 Rayno Barnes, 1 Zane Killian.
Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Albertus Buckle, 18 Nolan Clarke, 19 Sean Plaatjies, 20 Donald Stevens, 21 Wilmaure Louw, 22 Gavin Passens.

Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Alwyn Hollenbach, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Johan Jackson, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Derek Harwood, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Wouter Moore, 19 Derick Minnie, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Walter Venter, 22 Pieter Engelbrecht.

Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Magda Jordaan
TMO: Michael Cupido