Photo Credit: GWRU Facebook
Tafel Lager Griquas hosted the Xerox Lions in Kimberley and surprised the Lions in the first half with some great rugby. Unfortunately for both sides the match was called off due to lightning with the Lions who were in the lead with 20-17 at that stage, declared the winner.
The Lions came into this match with a lack of game-time as they have not played since their loss of 25-30 against the Bulls three weeks ago. This inactivity showed in the first thirty minutes of play. Thereafter the Lions found their stride and overturned the Griquas' lead of 17-3 to a winning score of 20-17 before the match was stopped due to lightning.
07:50 HJ Luus scored the Griquas first try of the match Following a maul after a five-metre lineout. (5-0)
The first twenty minutes of this match was an arm wrestle with the lack of game time by the Lions visible. Unforced errors by both sides the main reason for a stop and start play in the first quarter.
22:25 Eduan Keyter scored the second try of the match for the Griquas after a lengthy period of pressure on the Lions try-line. (10-0)
26:33 Elton Jantjies converted a penalty to narrow the gap to seven points.
28:45 James Verity-Amm's try a quick reply to the penalty by Jantjies. The momentum 100% with the Griquas as they enjoyed almost 80% possession at that stage. (17-3)
36:00 The Lions started to get their hand on quality ball late in the second half. This lead to their first try after good hands by their backline which ended in a try by Cortnal Skosan in the corner. (17-8)
45:04 The momentum now with the Lions on the back of their dominant scrum. Courtnall Skosan scored his second try after the Lions refused several opportunities to go for three points. (17-13)
The Lions struggled in the first thirty minutes of the game to find some rhythm but ended the first half in control of the game. The Griquas was still in the lead with 17-13 and looked forward to the second half with the strong breeze in their back.
45:04 The Lions to started the second half dominating from the word go and after several penalties conceded by the Griquas, the Lions was awarded a penalty try. (17-20)
47:00 Lightning stopped play with the Griquas on the attack.
77:00 The rules state that when a match gets suspended due to lightning a thirty minutes waiting period is mandatory. If the lighting activity is still within a twenty-five-kilometre radius the match is stopped. If not the sides are given a short warm-up period whereafter the game continues. If the match is called off the team in the lead is declared the winner if a minimum of 40 minutes of play was able. If not the march will be rescheduled.
The Xerox Lions was declared the winner with 20-17 after the game was called off..
Scorers:
Tafel Lager Griquas: Tries: HJ Luus, James Verity-Amm. Conversion: Tinus de Beer.
Xerox Lions: Tries: Courtnall Skosan (2), penalty try. Penalty: Elton Jantjies
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Johnathan Francke, 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 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 HJ Luus, 1 Mox Mxoli. Replacements (from): 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 John-Roy Jenkinson, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Carl Els, 21 Theo Maree, 22 Andre Swarts, 23 Enver Brandt, 24 Bandisa Ndlovu, 25 Ewan Coetzee, 26 Masixole Banda.
Xerox Lions: 15 EW Viljoen, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole. Replacements (from): 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Ross Cronjé, 21 Dan Kriel, 22 Tiaan Swanepoel, 23 Jannie du Plessis, 24 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 25 Manuel Rass.