Griquas grind down Griffons

Johannesburg - Griquas secured their second win in this year's Vodacom Cup competition by beating the Griffons 20-12 at GWK Park in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon.

The Griffons started at a steady pace, fired up by the momentum gained from a good win over the Limpopo Blue Bulls last weekend. They put the hosts under some good pressure early on and fly half Louis Strydom kicked a penalty in the 4th minute to give the Griffons the early lead.

That sparked Griquas to attack but some good defence by the Griffons kept the hosts at bay. Griquas got their first chance to level the scores in the 11th minute, but full back Jacquin Jansen was unsuccessful with his first attempt. However, he levelled the score with a penalty soon afterwards.

The Griffons kept testing the Griquas defence, but their decision making skills were left wanting and chances at tries went astray. Griquas struggled, but took the points when they was up for grabs. Jansen kicked another penalty 12 minutes from half time to give the hosts the lead for the first time in the game and going into the break.

Griquas started the second half the better of the two teams with winger Rocco Jansen scoring the first try of the game after some creative play by his fly half Francois Brummer. Jacquin Jansen converted the try to stretch Griquas' lead to ten points.

The Griffons tried to rectify the situation and put the hosts under good pressure thanks stalwarts like centre Japie Nel and eighth man Nicky Steyn. That resulted in a penalty, which Strydom kicked to bring his side within a converted try.

With 20 minutes to go, Griquas showed that their driving maul can be an effective weapon with flanker Marnus Schoeman, who had a good game all round, scored from a line out on the Griffons goal line. Jansen converted to take the score to 20-6 in the hosts favour.

In the last couple of minutes, Strydom kicked his third and fourth penalty of the afternoon as the visitors tried to reduce Griquas' lead. The Griffons had numerous chances near the end to try for an upset, but to no avail.

Scorers:

Griquas 20 (6)
Tries: Rocco Jansen, Marnus Schoeman. Conversions: Jacquin Jansen (2). Penalties: Jacquin Jansen (2).

Griffons 12 (3)
Penalties: Louis Strydom (4).