Griquas keep up the pace

Kimberley - Griquas have beaten the Valke 40-25 in a Currie Cup qualifying match at GWK Park in Kimberley on Saturday.

The bonus point result leaves Griquas well-placed for qualification to play in the Currie Cup later this year.

Griquas started at a steady pace, but it was the Valke who got on the scoreboard first with flyhalf Juan Kotze kicking a drop goal in the early exchanges.

It was not long before the attacks paid off and Griquas flanker Marnus Schoeman scored the first try of the afternoon for the hosts. Flyhalf Francois Brummer converted to give the Kimberley based side a lead of 7-3.

Schoeman was awarded with his second try of the afternoon shortly after, rounding off a good facet of play by the hosts, with Brummer converting to stretch the lead to 11 points.

Discipline proved to be one of the biggest challenges for Griquas and that allowed the Valke to get closer through a penalty by Kotze in the 22nd minute.

Griquas replied as lock Boela Serfontein burst over under the uprights and Brummer converted for a 15 point lead and a half time score of 21-6.

Griquas scored shortly after the interval, with eighthman Burger Schoeman bursting over for the bonus point try. Brummer converted.

The Valke scored their first try of the afternoon shortly after with winger Riaan Arends beating the Griquas defenders to dot down under the uprights. Kotze converted.

Kotze was part of the action again when he scored the Valke's second try of the afternoon, but Griquas hit back through a five pointer through scrumhalf Tian Meyer in an exciting period of attacking rugby.

Meyer scored his second try of the afternoon in the 56th minute after a well-planned lineout on the Valke goal line. Brummer missed with the conversion.

Griquas had some lapses in concentration and that led to the Valke's third try of the afternoon with centre Andrew van Wyk the scorer.

Scorers:
Griquas 40 (21): Tries: Marnus Schoeman (2), Boela Serfontein, Burger Schoeman, Tian Meyer (2); Conversions: Francois Brummer (5)

Valke 25 (6): Tries: Riaan Arends, Juan Kotze, Andrew van Wyk; Conversions: Juan Kotze (2); Penalty: Juan Kotze; Drop Goal: Juan Kotze