The New Nation Pumas hosted Tafel Lager Griquas this afternoon in Nelspruit. The Pumas managed to hang on to win with 26-22 in a match where both teams did everything not to lose.
The Pumas gameplan managed to keep the Griquas outside backs out of the game with a gameplan dominated by kicking for territory. The Pumas dominated the set pieces keeping the ball away from Griquas for most of the match.
07:20 The host is the first on the scoreboard after a converted penalty by Eddie Fouché, (03-00).
13:23 George Whitehead converted a penalty for Griquas to level the scores, (03-03).
17:49 Griques are punished for a mistake they made on their own throw-in when Matt Moore score the Pumas first try. Moore had a lot of work to do a broke through three tackles to score, (10-03).
20:00 Griquas dominated territory up to this stage with the Pumas try scored from their first visit to Griquas 22m. The Pumas defence showed some true grit and determination to keep Griquas from scoring while Griquas lack rhythm in attack.
28:14 Simon Westraad scored from the back of a 5m lineout maul, (15-03).
34:59 George Whitehead converted his second penalty, (15-06).
37:51 George Whitehead converted his third penalty with the Pumas ill-discipline starting to cost them, (15-09).
39:15 JP Nel intercepted and ran 60m to score the Griquas first try, (15-16).
40:00 The Pumas' structured gameplan kept the dangerous backs of the Griquas at bay. Unfortunately, several mistakes by the Pumas in the last ten minutes cost them the lead. The game is still balanced on a knife's edge, however, the momentum moved to the Griquas as they scored 13 points in the last ten minutes.
41:25 Eddie Fouché converted his second penalty to put the home team back in the lead, (18-16).
47:15 Eddie Fouché converted his third penalty, (21-16).
52:35 Simon Westraadt scored his second try from the back of a lineout maul, (26-16).
58:29 George Whitehead converted his fourth penalty, (26-19).
60:00 With 20 minutes to go the Pumas seemed to be in control. Griquas however, is very much in the game and one could not help "waiting" for Griquas to "click". The lack of rhythm on attack still Griquas' major problem.
66:39 George Whitehead converted his fifth penalty, (26-22).
Scorers:
New Nation Pumas: Tries: Matt Moore, Simon Westraadt (2). Conversion: Eddie Fouché. Penalties: Eddie Fouché (3).
Tafel Lager Griquas: Try: JP Nel. Conversion: George Whitehead. Penalties: George Whitehead (5).
Pumas: 15. Devon Williams, 14. Tapiwa Mafura, 13. Erich Cronje, 12. Matt Moore, 11. Etienne Taljaard, 10. Eddie Fouché, 9. Ginter Smuts, 8. Willie Engelbrecht, 7. Phumzile Maqondwana, 6. Francois Kleinhans, 5. Pieter Jansen van Vuren (captain), 4. Darrien Landsberg, 3. Ignatius Prinsloo, 2. Simon Westraadt, 1. Dewald Maritz. Replacements: 16. Hendrik van Schoort, 17. Eduan Swart, 18. Ruan Kramer, 19. Brandon Valentine, 20. Kwanda Dimaza, 21. Chriswill September, 22. Wayne van der Bank, 23. Jade Stighling.
Tafel lager Griquas: 15. Masixole Banda, 14. Daniel Kasende, 13. Jay Cee Nel, 12. Andre Swarts, 11. Eduan Keyter, 10. George Whitehead, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 8. Hanru Sirgel, 7. Sibabalo Qoma, 6. Ruan Steenkamp (C), 5. Cameron Lindsay, 4. Jeandre Leonard, 3. Andries Schutte , 2. HJ Luus, 1. Andrew Beerwinkel. Replacements: 16. Janco Uys, 17. Mox Mxoli, 18. Tijde Visser, 19. Mzwanele Zito, 20. Gideon Van Der Merwe, 21. Raegan Oranje, 22. Theo Boshoff, 23. Ederies Arendse, 24. Tiaan vd Merwe, 25. Henco Beukes, 26. Chris Hollis.