Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
There was only pride at stake when Tafel Lager Griquas welcomed the Toyota Cheetahs to Kimberley, and a spectacle was expected between two teams that had nothing to lose. Unfortunately, the match ended in a penalty fest with the Toyota Cheetahs the winner with 22-18.
The Griquas lost the game due to their attitude in the first 20 minutes of the second half when they conceded eight penalties in a row, allowing the Cheetahs to open a 19-11 gap which was good enough to secure the win.
The first 10 minutes of the match were fairly uneventful apart from the try by Griquas that was not allowed after Alander van Rooyen, the hooker from the Griquas, lost the ball as he tried to score an early try.
19:33 Marnus van der Merwe scored the first points of the match with a forward try after the Cheetahs set up camp in the Griquas' 22m for 10 minutes. (00-07)
After 20 minutes in the first half, the momentum was with the Cheetahs that used their forwards to gain dominance.
28:30 Tinus de Beer added the three points. (03-07)
30:59 Tinus de Beer added another three. (06-07)
41:15 Frans Steyn added the three points. (06-10)
At half time the Cheetahs' pack of forwards who provided a solid basis to dominate the game at that stage.
45:53 Gideon van der Merwe scored the Griquas first try after a line-out maul. Griquas rewarded for a good start to the second half. (11-10)
57:50 Frans Steyn convert a penalty. (11-13)
59:30 A 58m conversion from Frans Steyn extended the Cheetahs lead. (11-16)
63:05 Frans Steyn converted his third penalty in a row. (11-19)
The Griquas at that stage started to play negative rugby which resulted in several penalties (8 in a row) awarded to the Cheetahs.
73:10 Daniel Kasende scored Griquas' second try. The try just rewards for a good 10 minutes of positive play. (18-19)
77:03 Frans Steyn on target yet again. (18-22)
The Griquas remained without a win this season and yet again can only blame themselves for this.
Scorers:
Toyota Chaateahs: Try: Marnus van der Merwe. Conversion: Frans Steyn. Penalties: Frans Steyn (5).
Tafel Lager Griquas: Tries: Gideon van der Merwe, Daniel Kasende. Conversion: George Whitehead. Penalties: Tinus de Beer (2)
Teams:
Tafel Lager Griquas – 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Harlon Klaasen, 12 Andre Swarts, 11 Eduan Keyter, 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 Mox Mxoli. Replacements (from): 16 CJ Conradie, 17 Bandisa Ndlovu, 18 Tijde Visser, 19 Ewan Coetzee, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 Ashlon Davids, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Ederies Arendse.
Toyota Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 George Cronje, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Carl Wegner (captain), 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter. Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Victor Sekekete, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Rhyno Smith.