Griquas down WP in thriller

Kimberley – Griquas scored their first Currie Cup win of the season and ended a nine-match losing sequence to Western Province when they courageously prevailed 44-34 in a pulsating 10-try clash yesterday.

Province spurned a number of kicks at goal as penalties mounted against the home side in the first quarter, but they could not get over the line. Instead, Griquas fought back and when Province were defending their line, scrumhalf Dewald Duvenage committed a professional foul and was yellow carded.

Prop Liam Hendricks barged over the line in the 17th minute and Andre Swarts added the extra points for a 10-0 lead.

Kurt Coleman pulled back three points for the visitors in the 20th minute but this was more than undone in the 24th minute when a lovely build-up from the home team where they crashed the ball through a number of phases produced a gap out wide for wing Ederies Arendse to score.

Swarts’ conversion gave Griquas a handy 17-3 lead in the 26th minute, but Province fought back and a long period of domination in the Griquas 22 led to Nizaam Carr scoring an easy try from an advancing set scrum.

WP had the perfect end to the half when as the hooter sounded, Bjorn Basson scored to leave the home side 17-15 up at the break.

Early in the second half, the visitors went 22-17 ahead after a try by wing Seabelo Senatla.

Griquas immediately responded with a counter-attack that saw scrumhalf Renier Botha thrust clear for a try, and the home lead was restored at 24-22.

WP hit back hard with tries by Coleman and SP Marais to take a 34-24 lead.

It was advantage Griquas when Marais was shown a yellow card for a high tackle moments later, which the hosts cashed in on through a try by replacement scrumhalf Tiaan Dorfling.

Flank Wendal Wehr rounded off a brilliant team try as Griquas took a 38-34 lead.

Substitute flyhalf George Whitehead slotted two late penalties to give the hosts a 44-34 lead with seven minutes left.