Johannesburg - The Golden Lions resurrected their hopes of a playoff place thanks to a 24-11 (half-time 17-6) win against the Griquas in their Vodacom Cup North Section match at the UJ Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday.
The Golden Lions had won just one of their four matches heading into the clash against Griquas but they shrugged off their hitherto poor form as they ran in three tries to one and they won the match despite finishing with only 14 men after flank Jaco Kriel was given a red card after picking up two yellows during the game.
The defeat was the second loss in as many weeks for the Griquas after they sank to a 47-31 loss against the Pumas in their previous game and they have now lost three of their five matches.
The Golden Lions made all the early running in the contest and they grabbed their first try as early as the fifth minute when eighthman Warren Whitely barged his way over for a converted score.
The visitors replied three minutes later thanks to a penalty from flyhalf Pieter-Steyn de Wet but the hosts had the better of the remainder of the half as they grabbed a try through outside centre Deon van Rensburg in the 27th minute.
Flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff converted the try before adding a 32nd minute penalty as the home team roared into a 17-6 lead.
The Griquas finally had something to shout about shortly before the half-time whistle as De Wet succeeded with his second penalty.
The Golden Lions began the second half much as they had the first and they grabbed their third try when scrumhalf Michael Bondesio scooted over for a five-pointer.
Boshoff succeeded with his conversion attempt but it was to be the last scoring until the Griquas grabbed a consolation try through scrumhalf Jacques Coetzee in the 70th minute.
Scorers:
MTN Golden Lions – Tries: Warren Whitely; Deon van Rensburg, Michael Bondesio; Conversions: Marnitz Boshoff (3); Penalty: Boshoff.
GWK Griquas – Try: Jacques Coetzee; Penalties: Pieter-Steyn de Wet (2).
The Golden Lions had won just one of their four matches heading into the clash against Griquas but they shrugged off their hitherto poor form as they ran in three tries to one and they won the match despite finishing with only 14 men after flank Jaco Kriel was given a red card after picking up two yellows during the game.
The defeat was the second loss in as many weeks for the Griquas after they sank to a 47-31 loss against the Pumas in their previous game and they have now lost three of their five matches.
The Golden Lions made all the early running in the contest and they grabbed their first try as early as the fifth minute when eighthman Warren Whitely barged his way over for a converted score.
The visitors replied three minutes later thanks to a penalty from flyhalf Pieter-Steyn de Wet but the hosts had the better of the remainder of the half as they grabbed a try through outside centre Deon van Rensburg in the 27th minute.
Flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff converted the try before adding a 32nd minute penalty as the home team roared into a 17-6 lead.
The Griquas finally had something to shout about shortly before the half-time whistle as De Wet succeeded with his second penalty.
The Golden Lions began the second half much as they had the first and they grabbed their third try when scrumhalf Michael Bondesio scooted over for a five-pointer.
Boshoff succeeded with his conversion attempt but it was to be the last scoring until the Griquas grabbed a consolation try through scrumhalf Jacques Coetzee in the 70th minute.
Scorers:
MTN Golden Lions – Tries: Warren Whitely; Deon van Rensburg, Michael Bondesio; Conversions: Marnitz Boshoff (3); Penalty: Boshoff.
GWK Griquas – Try: Jacques Coetzee; Penalties: Pieter-Steyn de Wet (2).