Vodacom Cup
Griquas late show stuns Pumas
2010-03-19 19:12
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Defending champions Griquas fought back from 15 points down to run out 42-26 (halftime 13-21) winners over the Pumas in a Vodacom Cup North section match played at the AR Abass Stadium in Kimberley on Friday.
It was one of those matches when clichés abounded, and none more so that the phrase, “it was a game of two halves”.
The Pumas, newly promoted to the Premier Division, flexed their muscles in an excellent first half in which they raced to a 21-6 lead after half an hour, only for the champions to reel them in with a tenacious second-half effort.
Fullback and man of the match Bjorn Basson was ultimately the difference between the sides, scoring a brace of tries on an afternoon in which the line was crossed on no less than nine occasions.
Flyhalf Riaan Viljoen, who was sent home from the Cheetahs’ Super 14 team in midweek, slotted in effortlessly for his provincial team and finished with 17 points from four conversions and three penalties.
The Pumas scored early tries through wingers Nicky Kritzinger and Allistair Kettledas as well as centre Tiaan Marx to lead by 15 points after 32 minutes, but Griquas scored a late first-half try, through hooker Frik Venter, to stay in the game.
In the second half, replacement forward Rohan Kitshoff and Venter, again, scored within 10 minutes to give their team the lead, before Basson crossed for the first of his two tries to suddenly make it 35-21.
Flanker Jaco Bouwer scored the Pumas’ bonus-point try to make it 35-26 but any hopes of a Pumas comeback were dashed when Basson streaked down the right-hand touchline for his second to complete the scoring.
Scorers:
Griquas 42 – Tries: Frik Venter (2), Rohan Kitshoff, Bjorn Basson (2). Conversions: Riaan Viljoen (4). Penalties: Viljoen (3).
Pumas 26 – Tries: Nicky Kritzinger, Tiaan Marx, Allistair Kettledas, Jaco Bouwer. Conversions: Ricardo Croy (3).