Leopards XV thump Griffons

Johannesburg - The Leopards XV ran in eight tries as they thumped the Down Touch Griffons 59-12 (halftime 21-0) in their Vodacom Cup North Section match at Hartbeesfontein on Saturday.

According to the supersport.com website, left wing Adri Jacobs crossed for two tries while inside centre Adriaan Engelbrecht ended with 18 points after scoring a try and kicking five conversions and a penalty as the Leopards XV returned to winning ways after a heavy 63-10 loss at the hands of the Golden Lions in their previous match.

The Griffons were never in the contest and only troubled the scorers in the second half with No 8 Nicky Steyn going over for a brace of tries.

The first quarter of the game, in front of a crowd of 1200 people, was a tight affair but the Leopards finally started asserting their dominance when lock Francois Robertse crashed over for a converted try in the 22nd minute.

The hosts then took a handy 21-0 lead into the break as they scored two tries in the last 10 minutes of the half with outside centre Jaco Hayward and flyhalf Kobus du Plessis both crossing for converted scores.

The Leopards XV dominated the second half as well as Jacobs dotted down for the first time just five minutes after the restart.

Engelbrecht then kicked a penalty and scored a try of his own before the fleet-footed Jacobs completed his brace in the 59th minute.

The Griffons fought hard to add some respectability to the scoreline and Steyn rumbled over for his first try, in the 63rd minute, to make the score 45-5.

But the Leopards reasserted their dominance through tries from fullback Briers Myburgh and replacement flank Molotsi Bouwer before Steyn grabbed a late consolation try for the visitors.

Scorers

Leopards XV – Tries: Francois Robertse, Jaco Hayward, Kobus du Plessis, Adi Jacobs (2), Adriaan Engelbrecht, Briers Myburgh, Molotsi Bouwer; Conversions: Engelbrecht (5), Ruan van Rensburg (3); Penalty: Engelbrecht.

Down Touch Griffons – Tries: Nicky Steyn (2); Conversion: Wynand Pienaar.