Falcons finally get out their talons
Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:04
The Falcons secured their first Currie Cup victory in over a year by beating the Griquas 36-30 in Brakpan on Saturday.
The home side's victory, which has been a long time coming, was set up by their tight five and the boot of fullback Jacques Schutte.
The Falcons scored three tries - the first by flyhalf 'True Blue' Smit and two more by wing Ernie Kruger and replacement wing Len Olivier - while Schutte weighed in with 21 points.
A first victory evaded the Falcons last weekend against Boland, but they didn't let this one slip after leading 19-16 at the break.
The Falcons scrummed the Griquas pack into submission and the tight five must take credit for this historical victory which will boost their morale for the rest of the season.
Griquas captain Herkie Kruger opened the scoring to put Griquas into a 7-0 lead, but Schutte carved that away with penalties before Conrad Barnard kicked a penalty.
The lead swapped when Smit crossed for his try to take a 13-10 lead, but Schutte and Barnard traded penalties for the rest of the half.
Griquas other tries were scored by loosehead prop Steph Roberts from a lineout close to the Falcons line while lock Stefan Gerber scored the third after a quick tap penalty.
The Scorers:
For the Falcons:
Tries: Smit, Kruger, Olivier
Cons: Schutte 3
Pens: Schutte 5
For the Griquas:
Tries: Kruger, Roberts, Gerber
Cons: Barnard 3
Pens: Barnard 3
The teams:
Falcons: 15 Jacques Schutte, 14 Ernie Kruger, 13 Rouan Cloete, 12 Hanno Coetzee (captian), 11 Luvo Sogidashe, 10 Riaan Smit, 9 Gerrie Odendaal, 8 Sean Plaatjies, 7 Emile Verster, 6 Uwe Sauer, 5 Marius Coetzer, 4
Wouter Moore, 3 Nico Pretorius, 2 Rayno Barnes, 1 Gavin Whittingham.
Replacements: 16 Frik Venter, 17 Rassie van Vuuren, 18 Reg Perkins, 19 Warren Perkins, 20 Poerie van Rooyen, 21 Len Olivier, 22 Showan Smith.
Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Gavin Passens, 13 Jaco Bekker, 12 Herkie Kruger (captain), 11 MJ Mentz, 10 Conrad Barnard, 9 Tobie Botes, 8 Heinrich Stride, 7 Gareth Krause, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Jacques Lombaard, 4 Stephan Gerber, 3 Albertus Buckle, 2 Dean Hopp, 1 Steph Robberts.
Replacements: 16 Rohan Kitshoff, 17 Bees van Dyk, 18 Wayne van Heerden, 19 Cilliers Coetzer, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Lafras Uys, 22 Egon Seconds.
Referee: Pro Legoete
Touch judges: Theuns Jonker, Peet Badenhorst
TMO: Stuart Berry
