Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
The DHL Western Province lock horns with the Tafel Lager Griquas on today at DHL Newlands. Western Province was aiming to continue with their push for a semi-final spot. A convincing 34-17 bonus-point win saw Western Province move in the second spot on the Carling Currie Cup log, only 4 log points behind log leaders Vodacom Bulls.
DHL Western Province used the dominance of their pack of forwards to "bully" Griquas when needed to keep the scoreboard moving.
08:01 Western Province's dominance up front was evident from the first scrum. Western Province's second 5m lineout Bongi Mbonambi was in control of the ball as they drove over. (07-00)
15:32 Tim Swiel are spot on and convert a penalty. (10-00)
22:47 Dan du Plessis has threatened the first twenty minutes whenever he got his hands on the ball. A great break almost on the 10m of the Griquas saw du Plessis over for his first try of the match as well as Currie Cup season. (17-00)
33:40 Eduan Keyter again guilty of popping up at the right place at the right time and scored Griquas first try and points of the match. Griquas at this stage of the math are slowly grinding their way back into the match. (17-07)
DHL Western Province started the game like a house on fire and was in the lead with 17-00 after just 20 minutes. However, Griquas start to find some rhythm and ended the first half a few meters from the Western Province's try line on the attack.
41:47 Tinus de Beer added an early three points in the second half. (17-10)
44:16 Western Province's reply was immediate and as with the first half, Bongi Mbonambi scored his second try after a maul from a lineout which was the result of a scrum penalty. (22-10)
48:04 Jaco Coetzee scored Western Province's fourth try as Western Province up the pace, forwards and backs handled the ball on the way to the try-line. (29-10)
65:37 Chad Solomon scored a try on the back of a maul in his 50th appearance for Western Province (34-10)
79:55 Siba Qoma scored Griquas second try of the match after a good five minutes on the attack by a Griquas side that does not know the meaning of giving up hope.
Western Province deservedly walked off the pitch with a 34-17 win, which secured the second spot on the Carling Currie Cup log.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province: Tries: Bongi Mbonambi (2), Dan du Plessis, Jaco Coetzee, Chad Solomon. Conversions: Tim Swiel (3). Penalty: Tim Swiel.
Tafel Lager: Tries: Eduan Keyter, Siba Qoma. Conversions: Tinus de Beer, Andre Swarts. Penalty: Tinus de Beer.
The teams:
DHL Western Province: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Jaco Coetzee, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain). Replacements (from): 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 David Meihuizen, 20, Ernest van Rhyn, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Ruhan Nel, 23 Tristan Leyds.
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Andre Swarts, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Zak Burger (captain), 8 Johan Momsen, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Adre Smith, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 Alandre van Rooyen, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel. Replacements (from): 16 HJ Luus, 17 Mox Mxoli, 18 Tijde Visser, 19 Ewan Coetzee, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 CJ Velleman, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 Daniel Kasende, 24 Bandisa Ndlovu, 25 Raegan Oranje.